Late that evening, the grand doors of the Sterling family ancestral hall closed ominously behind Sienna, echoing like a death knell in the cold silence. The heavy scent of incense enveloped her immediately, smothering yet strangely comforting—a poignant reminder of her own master's funeral rites.
Her punishment for publicly humiliating Josephine had been swift: a full night of penitence, kneeling before the ancestors.
Alone now in the vast emptiness of the hall, Sienna knelt on the cold marble floor, her silk wedding gown pooling gracefully around her slender figure. The countless portraits of Sterling ancestors stared down at her disapprovingly, their stern faces flickering eerily in the candlelight.
She smiled bitterly. If only these esteemed ancestors knew the poison coursing through their family's veins.
Hours passed, each minute marked by the burning pain that crept steadily into her legs. Yet, Sienna's resolve only hardened with each agonizing moment. Her mind was already turning over Josephine's vial, etched with symbols identical to the ones discovered at Dr. Chen's death. The puzzle pieces were falling into place, though the picture remained infuriatingly incomplete.
She closed her eyes briefly, steadying her breathing. Her master had always taught her patience—that truth revealed itself to those who knew how to listen.
A sudden creak from the doorway startled her, drawing her eyes sharply upward. Silas stood at the threshold, his gaze unreadable as he observed her silently. For a brief moment, neither spoke, tension simmering between them.
"Are you here to gloat?" she asked coldly, her voice echoing in the empty hall.
"Hardly," Silas replied quietly, stepping inside and approaching with deliberate, measured steps. "I find punishment meaningless without purpose."
Sienna lifted an eyebrow, hiding her discomfort beneath icy composure. "And what purpose brings you here, then?"
Instead of answering directly, Silas knelt gracefully beside her, disregarding his noble bearing and the stiffness it must have caused. The move caught her completely off-guard.
"Silas—"
"Quiet," he interrupted softly, his fingers discreetly slipping something small and metallic into her palm. "You're not the only one seeking the truth."
She glanced down quickly—a tiny, intricately engraved key rested in her palm, still warm from his touch. Her heart raced, instantly recognizing the Sterling family insignia.
"Why give this to me?" she murmured cautiously.
His lips curled faintly into a cynical smile, though his gaze remained serious. "Because secrets that lie hidden beneath this house threaten us both."
Before she could press further, Silas rose swiftly, pausing only long enough to whisper one final warning. "Trust no one—not even me."
Then he was gone, the heavy doors closing softly behind him, leaving Sienna alone once more. Her pulse still racing, she turned the tiny key over thoughtfully in her hand. The secrets beneath Sterling Mansion were like vipers waiting to strike—but tonight, she would confront them head-on.
Painfully rising to her feet, she silently approached the grand altar at the hall's center. Among the many ancestral tablets, her sharp gaze caught a subtle irregularity—one tablet slightly out of alignment with the others, as if recently disturbed.
Carefully, she reached out and touched the tablet bearing Patriarch Augustus's name, fingertips brushing the edges delicately. Her heart leapt as the tablet shifted slightly under her touch. With practiced precision, she slid it aside, revealing a hidden compartment behind.
Inside lay a small USB drive, innocuous yet profoundly important. Attached was a small slip of paper bearing familiar handwriting—her master's handwriting.
"For Sienna: when all else fails, trust your blood."
Her breath caught sharply, emotions surging wildly through her. Even now, Dr. Chen's ghostly influence guided her. But what had her master hidden away, so carefully concealed behind Sterling ancestors?
Before she could examine the drive further, the faint sound of footsteps echoed from beyond the doors, approaching rapidly. She quickly concealed the USB inside her gown's inner lining, swiftly sliding the tablet back into place, ensuring nothing looked amiss.
Moments later, the heavy doors swung open violently, revealing Spencer Sterling—Silas's older brother and the formidable heir apparent. His presence exuded power, authority, and subtle menace.
"Enjoying your solitude, Sister-in-law?" Spencer asked mockingly, his cold eyes scrutinizing her closely.
Sienna maintained her poise effortlessly. "Solitude is preferable to some company."
He smirked, clearly amused by her defiance. "Careful, Sienna. Your sharp tongue might lead you to an early grave."
"Then perhaps you should keep your distance," she retorted calmly. "I wouldn't want to accidentally injure the family's heir."
Spencer's expression darkened momentarily, but he quickly recovered, stepping closer until mere inches separated them. His voice dropped dangerously low. "The Sterlings are not forgiving to outsiders who forget their place."
Sienna held his gaze unflinchingly. "Fortunately, my place isn't decided by you."
Before he could reply, Silas's voice suddenly rang sharply from behind them. "Brother, harassing my bride so soon after our wedding? Surely even you have limits."
Spencer stepped back smoothly, masking irritation behind a cool smile. "Merely offering sisterly guidance."
Silas approached calmly, his eyes locked fiercely onto his brother's. "Then allow me to offer some brotherly advice in return: stay out of my affairs."
Spencer laughed softly, casting a final disdainful glance at Sienna before departing silently. When he was gone, Silas's façade of calmness slipped briefly, revealing a flash of genuine concern.
"Are you alright?" he asked softly, stepping closer, his voice nearly gentle.
Sienna met his gaze steadily, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "Can I trust your concern, Silas?"
A brief silence stretched between them before he replied, his voice heavy with hidden meaning. "Trust, like poison, must be handled carefully. But for now, our survival demands at least temporary alliance."
He held out his hand toward her, waiting patiently.
Slowly, Sienna placed her hand into his, feeling the warmth of his grip tighten around her fingers. For just an instant, it felt as though they truly stood united against the darkness surrounding them.
Yet beneath her calm exterior, the tiny key and hidden USB burned like brands, whispering one dark truth:
Trust no one—not even him.