THE FIRST SUSPECT
670 Words
Amelia stared at the torn emerald gown
lying across the sofa, her heart pounding
so loudly she could barely hear herself
breathe.
"What... what are you saying?" she
whispered.Damien held up the damaged
seam.This wasn't an accident.His voice was
cold.The stitches were sliced with
something sharp, then loosely sewn back
together. Whoever did this knew it would
tear the moment enough pressure was
placed on it.Amelia felt the room spin.So...
someone wanted this to happen?
They wanted to humiliate you.Silence
settled between them.A few moments
later, there was a knock on the study
door.Mrs. Hughes stepped inside.Mr.
Blackwood... your grandmother wishes to
see you immediately.Damien nodded once.
We're coming.
Before leaving, he turned to Amelia.Stay
close to me.She quietly nodded.For the
first time since entering the Blackwood
family, she realized just how dangerous life
inside the mansion truly was.
***
Downstairs, the guests were pretending
the embarrassing incident had never
happened.Soft music played once
again.Champagne glasses
clinked.Conversations resumed.But
beneath the glamorous atmosphere,
whispers continued to
spread.Grandmother Blackwood stood in
the center of the ballroom with an
authority that demanded silence.
"Ladies and gentlemen."
Her calm voice echoed through the room.
I sincerely apologize for the unfortunate
interruption.The gala will continue
The guests applauded politely.
As Damien and Amelia approached,
Grandmother Blackwood's sharp eyes
immediately landed on the oversized
tuxedo jacket covering Amelia.
My dear..."she said gently.
Are you hurt?
Amelia forced a small smile.
"I'm alright."
The older woman reached for her hand.
"No."
Her eyes softened.
You're trying to be strong.
Before Amelia could respond,
Grandmother Blackwood turned toward
the household staff.I want every employee
who handled Miss Amelia's belongings
today assembled in the drawing room.The
command left no room for argument.
"Immediately."
A ripple of unease spread among the
servants.Sophia, standing several feet
away, tightened her grip on her
champagne glass.She hadn't expected
Grandmother to react so quickly.
***
Twenty minutes later...Every maid, butler,
housekeeper, and dresser stood nervously
inside the drawing room.
Damien remained beside Amelia.
Grandmother Blackwood slowly walked
past each employee.
"Who prepared Miss Amelia's room
today?"
One maid nervously raised her hand.
"I... I cleaned it this morning, ma'am."
"Did you touch the dress?"
"No, ma'am."
Another employee stepped forward.
"I only steamed it before
dinner."Grandmother continued
questioning each servant.Every answer
sounded sincere.Every face looked
terrified.
Finally...
Mrs. Hughes spoke.
"The dress was delivered yesterday
afternoon."
Grandmother looked up.
"Who delivered it?"
Mrs. Hughes hesitated.
"It came from Miss Sophia."
The room became deathly silent.Sophia
slowly looked up.
You can't possibly think I had anything to
do with this.Grandmother's expression
remained unreadable.
I haven't accused anyone.Sophia gave a
soft laugh.I gave Amelia that dress as a
peace offering.She looked directly at
Amelia.
Why would I embarrass her in front of the
entire city?
Amelia opened her mouth...
...then closed it again.She honestly didn't
know.Sophia had seemed so
genuine.Damien suddenly spoke.The gown
was intentionally damaged.His deep voice
cut through the room.
And whoever did it had access before
Amelia wore it.Sophia's smile faded for the
briefest second.Then she recovered.
That's terrible.
She sighed dramatically.it means someone
is trying to destroy the Blackwood family's
reputation.Grandmother watched her
carefully.Very carefully.Something about
Sophia's reaction felt...
practiced.
***
Later that night...Sophia returned to her
bedroom and quietly locked the door.The
sweet smile disappeared from her face.She
pulled out another phone.One that none of
the family knew she owned.She dialed a
number.
"It didn't go exactly as planned," she
whispered.The voice on the other end
chuckled.
"She's still alive."
Sophia frowned.
"Damien protected her."
"He always protects what's his."
Sophia's eyes darkened.
Then we'll make sure she becomes
impossible to protect.
The call ended.Outside the half-closed
bedroom door...A shadow froze.
Mrs. Hughes.
She had come to deliver fresh towels.
Instead...She had overheard enough to
know something was terribly wrong.Her
hands trembled as she quietly backed
away from the door.She had served the
Blackwood family for over thirty years.And
for the first time...She feared the greatest
threat to the family wasn't a business
rival.It was someone living under the same
roof.
- Writer
