Back to Lillian...
Lilian’s eyes widened as a cold, shuddering breath caught in her throat. It felt as if the air itself had turned traitorous—her lungs refused to fill, her chest tightened, and the walls of the room seemed to press in around her. Panic fluttered at the edge of her mind. Am I… claustrophobic?
Her gaze snapped to Dr. Lancelot. Reasoning with Bella was useless; the young woman’s cruelty was unyielding. Masking the tremor in her hands, she forced a polite smile and spoke.
“Dr. Lancelot, right? I’ve heard of your work. Truly… fascinating.”
The man’s chest puffed slightly, his pride obvious in the faint glimmer in his eyes. Lilian pressed on, ignoring the venom in Bella’s gaze.
“I don’t know what this woman has told you,” she continued, “but this is… illegal. I’m Mrs. Joh
