Chapter 278: A Welcome Gift
Jessica was led in personally by Lady Matilda. Together, they bypassed the expansive living room — typically the first stop for guests. The space screamed opulence, dressed in extravagant furnishings and state-of-the-art sophistication. It wasn’t just a room; it was a living testament to the Santiagos’ wealth, influence, and legacy.
The maids they passed smiled and greeted Jessica warmly — some overly eager, others quietly amused and others with a trace of hesitation..
A few smiled sheepishly, while others gawked at her with thinly veiled curiosity. She noticed the sideways glances, the awkward giggles, and when they thought she couldn’t hear, they whispered among themselves in hushed tones.
That strange, crawling sense of being studied... not with malice, but with the uncomfortable reverence reserved for someone important—someone unexpected.
It was subtle, but she felt it. Something was off. A strange feeling stirred in Jessica’s gut.
Their collective reactions weren’t random. They knew something she didn’t. Something they weren’t saying.
And if there was one thing Jessica had never tolerated in her life — it was being left in the dark. She never liked being the last to know with regards to any incident
Subtly, her fingers grazed her baby bump before reaching her bangle. With practiced ease, she activated the discreet tracker embedded within. She had no intention of walking into a trap.
No matter what kind of sweet poison Lady Matilda intended to serve, Jessica wouldn’t swallow it without a fight.
Lady Matilda led her through a maze of hallways, bypassing several tightly shut doors. At last, she stopped before a modest door and gently pushed it open.
A wash of golden sunlight spilled into the corridor, casting a soft amber hue against the walls. Jessica stepped in slowly and cautiously, her eyes sweeping across the room, her instincts alert for anything — any object, any placement that could pose harm.