Chapter 506
Evelyn stood frozen in complete shock. The way events unfolded had completely deviated from her expectations. It should have been her holding damning evidence, prepared to condemn Hannah,who tried to attach herself to her son. Instead, she found herself under interrogation, potentially facing serious legal consequences.
Hannah's composed yet razor-sharp presence in that moment made Evelyn, despite her extensive experience with confrontation, feel genuine unease.
"I discovered it at Claude's residence.How could you possibly be unaware?" Evelyn struggled to project confidence, though her voice betrayed her rising panic.
At Claude's house? Hannah's stomach dropped like a stone. Since reuniting with Claude, she'd visited his residence only once-when he had a flare-up of his
stomach issues. That evening had run late, forcing her to stay overnight where she'd fallen into exhausted sleep. She retained no memory whatsoever of anything resembling the scene captured in that photograph.
As Hannah forced herself to remember, one detail suddenly crystallized. The following morning after that day, while exploring Claude's residence, she'd wandered toward a firmly sealed door. Curiosity had compelled her to reach for the handle, but Claude had abruptly materialized behind her, gently steering her toward breakfast instead. Could that room be where Evelyn claimed to have found the photograph?
The possibility sent ice racing through Hannah's veins.Overwhelmed,she shot to her feet.
"Where exactly do you think you're going without offering any explanation?" Seeing Hannah rise without warning, Evelyn's anxiety transformed into indignation as she attempted to assert authority."Did you absorb a single word I spoke? Your behavior is absolutely disgraceful!"
But Hannah appeared completely deaf to Evelyn's scolding. Without a backward glance, she strode swiftly from the restaurant.
Once behind the wheel, Hannah immediately fired the engine, yanked the steering wheel around, and raced toward Claude's residence at dangerous speed.
She arrived soon enough. The butler recognized her.Though surprised by her unexpected appearance,he maintained perfect respectful composure as he welcomed her inside.
"Ms. Scott, may I offer you some coffee?" the butler suggested, his manner impeccably courteous.
Hannah suppressed the turmoil churning within her chest, maintaining appropriate social grace. "That's very kind. I need to speak with Claude about something urgent. Do you have any idea when he might return?"
"I'll contact Mr. Hobbes immediately to verify," the butler replied without hesitation.
"Alright. Take your time. I'll browse around while waiting for him. It's been ages since I came here,"Hannah said with easy grace, her tone relaxed and natural, as if she were truly just visiting a friend.
Seeing her composed manner, the butler harbored no suspicions. Bowing respectfully, he replied,"Please make yourself at home."
Hannah began wandering, feigning interest in the elaborate paintings adorning the walls.
The moment the butler disappeared into the study to place his call, she abandoned her casual pace.Drawing on fragmented memories, she navigated toward the room that had piqued her curiosity during her previous visit.
The door stood sealed tight, protected by an electronic lock.
Taking a steadying breath, she input Claude's birthday-access denied.
Next, she tried several number combinations he
frequently used-still incorrect.
Her pulse hammered against her ribs as perspiration beaded on her brow. Then, she remembered it:Claude's lucky number, the one he'd shared with her in confidence.
A soft electronic chime echoed through the hallway.
Hannah's heart nearly burst from her chest as she carefully pushed the door open and slipped inside,sealing it behind her.
What she discovered made her world tilt on its axis.This wasn't just any room. Every inch of wall space displayed photographs of her. Different angles,different moments, different Chapters of her life.Pictures of her beaming in graduation robes during college, listening intently at post-wedding celebrations, even a lonely silhouette wandering the streets after her divorce...
Countless images of her, blown up and mounted like trophies, transforming the walls into a shrine.
What made her blood turn to ice was the central monitor dominating the room. It displayed surveillance footage on endless repeat, clearly capturing the guest room where she'd stayed during her last visit.
The footage captured that deep in the night,she lay motionless on the bed, lost in sleep. Then, the door crept open, revealing Claude's silhouette. He stood beside the bed, watching her for what felt like eternity before climbing onto the mattress. Slowly,deliberately, he moved closer, pressing his lips against her neck.
Hannah froze. So Evelyn's damning photograph wasn't fabricated after all. It had genuinely happened. Yet, she'd slept through the entire violation, completely oblivious? How was such deep unconsciousness even possible? Even exhausted beyond measure, wouldn't she sense a man's presence beside her? Unless she'd been deliberately sedated?