The Billionaire behind the Silver Mask

An Unexpected Guest

Mona's POV

Breakfast at Blackwood Manor was much quieter than I expected. Grandfather was already seated when I walked into the dining room. Mrs. Harper stood nearby while two maids moved silently around the long table, placing dishes one after another.

Adonis sat opposite Arthur, dressed in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled neatly to his wrists. A newspaper rested in one hand while the other held a cup of black coffee. No milk at all.

I frowned to myself. How could anyone willingly drink something that bitter?

Mrs. Harper poured tea into my cup before stepping back. "Did you sleep well, Miss Hart?"

"I did," I lied.

No one questioned it. Breakfast continued quietly. Arthur asked me whether I had settled into the manor, and I answered politely while Adonis remained focused on the newspaper before him.

The silence wasn't uncomfortable anymore. Just... unusual. I reached for the butter, spread a little over my toast, then paused.

"Mrs. Harper?"

She stepped forward. "Yes, Miss Hart?"

I looked at her. "Do you have any strawberry jam?" At that moment , it was as if there was a freeze in time. It wasn't anything dramatic though, just subtle.

One maid stilled while refilling tea. Another dropped the serving spoon in her hand before immediately picking it up.

Even Mrs. Harper's smile faltered for the briefest second. I blinked.

"...Did I say something wrong?"

One of the younger maids looked at me before speaking without thinking.

"Madam... we're not supposed to..."

"Ahem" Mrs. Harper's cleared her throat quietly, but the warning in it was unmistakable.

The maid immediately lowered her head. "I'm sorry."

Mrs. Harper turned back to me with another gentle smile. "I'm afraid we don't have any."

She never repeated the word I'd just said. I frowned slightly.

That couldn't be right.

How could a house this large not have strawberry jam? Before I could ask another question, the soft clink of porcelain drew my attention.

Adonis had placed his coffee cup on the saucer. Without looking up from the newspaper, he spoke.

"Buy some."

The room went completely still again.

"If she wants it..." He finally folded the newspaper and stood. "...she'll have it."

That was all. He adjusted the cuff of his sleeve and walked out of the dining room without another glance.

The silence he left behind felt heavier than before. Only after he disappeared did the whispers begin.

"But Young Master..."

"I thought he..."

"It's been years..."

Mrs. Harper looked toward them and every voice disappeared instantly. Arthur noticed my confusion and smiled.

"Don't mind them, my dear."

I looked at him.

"Finish your breakfast." he added. I forced a small smile. "I... suddenly don't feel very hungry anymore."

Arthur chuckled softly. "Then don't force yourself."

I managed a few more bites before excusing myself. The moment I stepped outside, I inhaled deeply.

The fresh morning air felt much easier to breathe than whatever had just happened inside.

I wandered slowly through the gardens, following the stone pathway between neatly trimmed hedges and rows of white camellias.

The flowers seemed even brighter beneath the morning sun. Without realizing it, my eyes drifted toward the East Wing.

It stood exactly as it had yesterday. My brow arches slightly. There hadn't been any crying the previous night.

Not even once.

Had Adonis somehow stopped whoever had been making those sounds?

Or...

Had I really imagined it?

The questions followed me as I continued walking. Then another scent reached me. It smelled sweet and elegant like jasmine. It drifted gently through the air, making me stop. I turned toward the flower beds.

A woman stood a short distance away, bending slightly as she admired the blossoms. She was carrying a designer handbag over one shoulder, and every piece of clothing she wore looked far too expensive to belong to anyone working at the manor.

Even from where I stood, she was strikingly beautiful. The morning sunlight seemed to settle naturally against her skin.

She looked... effortless. Definitely not one of the staff. Curiosity got the better of me so I walked closer.

"Hello."

She straightened slowly. For a brief moment, she looked me over and her smile faded. Not completely, just enough for me to notice.

Then, almost as though she had remembered something, her smile widened again. She stepped toward me.

"Hi." Her voice was smooth and warm. "Who are you?" She tilted her head slightly.

I almost scoffed.

Shouldn't I be the one asking that?

This was my home. I stopped myself. Since when had I started thinking of Blackwood Manor as my home?

Before I could answer, the lady suddenly looked past me.

Her entire face lit up. "Adonis!"

She hurried past me before I could even turn around. I looked over my shoulder. Adonis stood a few steps away.

His hands were clasped behind his back and his silver mask was still there but with a different design this time.

He hadn't made a sound. I hadn't even heard him arrive. She reached him and threw her arms around him without hesitation.

"I've missed you so much!" Adonis didn't hug her back. He didn't move at all and his arms remained behind him.

What surprised me even more was that he wasn't looking at the lady. His eyes were fixed on me.

I quickly looked away. She didn't seem to notice. "You never called." She pouted while tugging at the hem of his sleeve.

"You hardly replied to my messages and I was beginning to think you'd forgotten all about me."

She laughed lightly before nudging his arm. "Tell me the truth." She grinned. "Did you find another friend while I was away?"

Friend? I almost laughed. Adonis? Impossible!

He finally spoke. "I'm glad you're well." His voice remained as calm as ever.

The lady pouted again dramatically. "That's all? I disappear for months and that's the best welcome I get?"

He looked down at her since he was very much taller then her. "You're here now. I'll ask one of the maids to take your luggage."

She sighed in mock defeat. "I suppose I'll accept that."

The sound of a walking cane tapping against the stone path made all of us turn. Arthur approached with an amused smile.

"Vivian."

She immediately left Adonis and hurried toward him instead. "Arthur!"

She kissed his cheek affectionately before looping an arm around his. "I missed you the most."

Arthur laughed. "And the manor has been much quieter without you." Only then did he seem to see I was still standing there.

"Oh."

He smiled warmly. "Mona."

I blinked. "This is Vivian Sinclair."

He gestured toward her. "Vivian practically grew up here."

Everything suddenly made sense. The way she walked around the estate. The way she hugged Adonis and how she greeted Arthur.

She belonged here.

Vivian smiled at me again. "So...You're Mona."

I looked at her.

"The famous wife." She completed and extended her hand. "I hope we'll become good friends."

I looked at her hand for a moment before shaking it. "I hope so too."

Her smile never slipped. It was warm and beautiful, almost perfect infact but after I took her handshake, the uneasiness I felt with Richard Lawson returned.