บท 14: CHAPTER 14: You Should be Afraid

　　The air hung heavy with unspoken words as Nicola and Alex rose from their chairs at their father's bidding. Abel gestured towards his study, his voice a low rumble. "There's a matter I need to discuss with the two of you privately."

　　Alex cast a questioning glance in my direction, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "Will you be alright here, Ava?"

　　I plastered on a reassuring smile. "Of course. I'll just, you know, mingle." The last word felt foreign on my tongue, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere that had settled around the table.

　　As soon as Alex and Nicola disappeared behind the oak doors of the study, Isabelle leaned forward, her gaze sharp. "Why are you doing this?"

　　The unexpected question caught me off guard. I stammered, unsure of how much to reveal. "I...needed the money." It was the truth and there was no use pretending to someone who already looked like she had a preconceived notion about me.