Chapter 7 - The Masked Smile
Maya forced her trembling body to stand tall. She crossed her hands in front of her apron, shielding the phone in her pocket.
"I thought I heard something behind the wall, Mrs. Hawthorne," Maya said, keeping her tone completely neutral.
Celeste took a slow, deliberate step closer. Her high heels clicked against the floor like the ticking of a clock.
"The old heating pipes in this wing make very strange noises," Celeste noted smoothly, tilting her head. "So I've been told."
A suffocating silence settled between the two women.
Hidden inside the dark wall behind the painting, Noah didn't make a single sound. He had learned how to stay silent out of pure survival.
Celeste took another step forward. She paused right beside the velvet rope, taking a delicate sip of her champagne.
Her smile never faded from her face.
But the warmth in her eyes vanished completely, replaced by a cold, predatory stillness.
"And..." Celeste asked quietly, her eyes locking onto the gap behind the frame, "who were you talking to just now, Maya?"
"I was talking to myself, ma'am," Maya replied without flinching. "I dropped a frame while checking the dust levels for the renovation crew."
Celeste looked down at the shattered glass surrounding Maya's black shoes.
"You've always been very thorough, Maya," Celeste murmured softly. "Evelyn loved that about you. She thought you were so loyal."
The mention of Evelyn’s name sent a sharp spike of anger through Maya’s veins.
"Mrs. Hawthorne," Maya said, taking a subtle step to block Celeste's view of the wall gap. "The guests in the ballroom are asking for you. Mr. Hawthorne said the mayor is ready to present the charity award."
Celeste stared at Maya for three agonizing seconds.
Then, she let out a quiet, melodic laugh.
"Of course," Celeste said, turning slightly. "We wouldn't want to keep the mayor waiting, would we?"
She turned back toward the main hallway, her silk gown rustling softly.
May you like
As she reached the velvet rope, she stopped and looked over her shoulder.
"Maya," Celeste said softly, her voice dripping with quiet venom. "Pack your bags tonight. You're fired."
