CHAPTER FOURTEEN - The First Clue
1101 Words
The soft tapping of keys echoed through Serena’s bedroom.
Her attention remained fixed on the laptop balanced across the writing desk as she reviewed the final page of a luxury destination wedding proposal.
A satisfied smile touched her lips.
“Done.”
She clicked Send, forwarding the signed agreement to her manager.
Client confirmed. Proceed with the venue deposit and vendor contracts. I’ll handle the remaining details remotely.
Almost immediately, another notification appeared.
An incoming call from an unknown number.
She hesitated before answering.
“Hello?”
“Good morning, Miss Carter. My name is Vivian from Twinkle TV. First of all, congratulations on your incoming wedding.”
Serena closed her eyes.
Another one.
The fifth interview request she’d received since waking up.
“We’d love to have you as our guest this weekend. Your engagement has become one of the biggest stories online, and we’d also be delighted to highlight your event planning business during the interview—”
“I’m honored,” Serena interrupted politely, “but I’ll have to decline.”
“We can—”
“Thank you for thinking of me.”
She ended the call before the woman could continue.
Her phone barely touched the desk before it vibrated again.
Another television station.
She silenced it.
Public attention had always been good for business. In her industry, visibility meant clients.
But this kind of attention?
She could do without it.
A gentle knock sounded.
“Come in.”
The door opened, revealing Clara with her usual cheerful smile.
“Good morning, Ma’am.”
“Good morning.”
“Breakfast is almost ready.”
Serena stretched lazily. “I think I’d rather have mine up here today.”
Clara hesitated.
“I’m afraid Mr. Blackwood specifically requested that everyone have breakfast together.”
Serena sighed dramatically.
“So much for avoiding people.”
Another knock interrupted them.
James stepped inside.
The moment Serena saw his face, she straightened.
He had found something.
Without taking her eyes off him, she said casually,
“Clara, would you mind giving us a moment?”
The young woman didn’t move.
Serena frowned.
“I said, a moment.”
Still nothing.
Finally, Serena turned to look at her.
“Did you hear me?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then…?”
Clara shifted awkwardly.
“As your personal attendant, I’m responsible for remaining nearby whenever another male member of staff is present.”
Serena blinked.
“What?”
“It’s for your safety.”
She looked from Clara…
…to James…
…then back again.
James wore an expression of perfect innocence.
Too perfect.
Serena followed Clara’s disappointed gaze toward him.
Understanding dawned.
“Oh.”
She folded her arms.
“So that’s what’s happening.”
Clara’s cheeks turned bright pink.
“It isn’t—”
“Clara.”
The young woman looked down.
“It is incredibly foolish to risk your job because of a man.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am.”
“And if Mr. James is encouraging that sort of behavior…”
She turned toward him.
“…he should be ashamed of himself.”
James placed a hand over his chest.
“With respect, ma’am, I’ve yet to say a single word since walking into this room.”
“You didn’t have to.”
A slow, satisfied smirk spread across his face.
Serena pointed toward the door.
“Go on.”
Clara apologized again before hurrying from the room.
The moment the door closed behind her, Serena looked back at James.
“You seem awfully pleased with yourself.”
“I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Of course you don’t.”
His smile widened.
“So…”
She leaned forward expectantly.
“What did you find?”
James reached inside his jacket and withdrew a slim brown folder.
He placed it on the desk.
“I believe you’ll find this interesting.”
Serena opened it excitedly.
The first page contained a photograph.
Ashley.
Only…
The name beneath it wasn’t Ashley.
Her brows knitted together. “Isabella Sofía Álvarez.”
James nodded.
“Her original name.”
Serena slowly looked up.
“Go on.”
“She was born in Mexico.” He folded his hands behind his back. “Several years ago she worked in a nightclub.”
“A nightclub?”
James nodded once.
“From what I could uncover, her boyfriend became involved with some very dangerous people.”
Serena continued reading. “He owed them money?”
“More than money.” James’ expression remained unreadable.
“When he couldn’t repay what he owed…”
“…he attempted to use Miss Álvarez as payment.”
Serena’s eyes lifted sharply. “He what?”
“She disappeared before the exchange could happen.”
Silence settled between them.
“How did she manage to?”
“I don’t know.”
“Who helped her?”
“I don’t know.”
James pointed toward another page.
“Everything becomes unusually clean after that.”
She flipped through the remaining documents.
New passport.
New identity.
New country.
Ashley Morgan.
No explanation. No records. No mention of a sponsor.
Nothing.
Someone had erased her past.
Serena leaned back slowly.
“Isabella Sofía Álvarez…”
She repeated the name quietly.
A thoughtful smile crossed her lips.
James watched her carefully, expecting a mocking remark.
But instead of judging Ashley…
Serena simply murmured,
“So…”
He raised an eyebrow.
“We’re both living under borrowed names.”
James’ expression changed almost imperceptibly.
He looked at her for a long second.
As though wondering whether she had revealed more than she intended.
She simply closed the folder.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
He turned toward the door.
“James.”
He stopped.
“Yes?”
“I need one more favor.”
He faced her again.
“What may that be?”
“I need access to the old study.”
James didn’t answer immediately.
The warmth disappeared from his face.
He looked at her as though seeing her for the first time.
“The study?”
“I only need a few minutes in there.” Serena added quickly.
James walked to the nearest window and looked out over the gardens.
When he finally turned back, there wasn’t the slightest trace of amusement left in his eyes.
“Mrs. Blackwood…”
His voice had become unusually serious.
“Do you know what happened to the last person who tried to get into that study?”
Serena shook her head. “No.”
James held her gaze.
He didn’t smile.
“Neither does anyone else.”
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