Anabelle stepped out, taking a deep breath to calm herself.
The hallway was empty, save for Catherine trailing behind. "What should we do with those two?" Catherine inquired.
Slightly nauseous, Anabelle responded, "Keep them under watch for now. I'll decide on their fate when I'm in the mood."
Catherine departed to execute her orders.
Collecting herself as Catherine's figure faded away, Anabelle was about to leave when applause broke the silence.
She turned to see a stranger approaching from the other end of the corridor.
The man, his shoulders draped in a long, ankle-length black cloak over a finely tailored suit, radiated an air of distinguished elegance.
As he drew closer, his strikingly sculpted features emerged into the light, complemented by a subtly sly smile.
"Mrs. Evans,
