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It Could Be A Trap

“Who could this be?” Charlotte murmured staring round as she sat up.

She couldn't ask Astor because he made her feel, she was just there because of the contract.

“Oh God! I've never been faced with this kind of thing my whole life!” Charlotte said, holding her hands up to her head as she motioned towards the garden.

Charlotte paced nervously near the garden entrance, her heart pounding as she glanced at her watch. The cryptic note she’d received had instructed her to meet “by the fountain after dark.” Now she was here, her thoughts were running wild.

What if this was a trap?

The crunch of gravel behind her made her whirl around, her breath catching. A hooded figure emerged from the shadows, their face obscured.

“Miss Walker,” the person said in a low, hurried voice.

Charlotte stepped back instinctively, her fists clenching. “Who are you?” she demanded.

“That’s not important,” the figure replied. “What’s important is that you listen carefully. Staying in this house puts you and your daughter in grave danger.”

Charlotte’s heart raced. “What are you talking about?”

The figure glanced around, their movements tense and paranoid. “The Harrington estate is not what it seems. There’s a scandal, something buried deep, tied to Astor’s inheritance. The longer you stay here, the more entangled you’ll become.”

“What scandal?” Charlotte pressed, her voice rising with urgency. “If you know something, tell me!”

“I can’t,” the figure said, their voice trembling slightly. “I’ve already risked too much by contacting you. But know this: Astor isn’t the only one watching you.”

Charlotte’s blood ran cold. “What do you mean? Who’s watching me?”

Before the figure could answer, the sound of footsteps echoed nearby. The person stiffened, turning sharply toward the noise.

“I have to go,” the person whispered.

“No, wait!” Charlotte hissed, reaching for them, but the figure darted into the shadows, disappearing as quickly as they’d appeared.

Charlotte stood frozen for a moment, her mind racing. What scandal? And who else was involved?

But that voice, it wasn't a lady in that hood! It was a guy.

\---

The next morning, Charlotte sat in the dining room, not having an appetite for food, as she picked at her toast. Across the table, Jasmine happily ate her cereal, swinging her legs under the chair.

“Mommy, can we play outside later?” Jasmine asked, her voice bright.

“Maybe,” Charlotte replied distractedly, her thoughts still on the mysterious meeting the night before.

Her gaze drifted to Astor, who entered the room with his usual commanding presence. He greeted Jasmine with a faint smile but barely glanced at Charlotte as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

“Good morning,” he said curtly, taking a seat at the head of the table.

Charlotte studied him, trying to gauge whether he knew about the note, or the person behind it. But as always, his expression was unreadable, his demeanor cool and composed.

Jasmine, oblivious to the tension between the adults, turned to Astor with a grin. “Daddy, will you come play outside with me and Mommy later?”

Astor hesitated, his gaze flicking to Charlotte before returning to Jasmine. “We’ll see,” he said, his tone softer than usual.

Jasmine beamed, satisfied with his answer, and returned to her cereal.

Charlotte, however, wasn’t so easily pacified. She needed answers, and Astor was the only person who could provide them.

\---

Later that day, Charlotte found herself in the kitchen, helping Marta prepare lunch. The staff bustled around them, their movements efficient as they worked to meet Astor’s high standards.

“Miss Walker,” Marta said, handing her a bowl of freshly chopped vegetables. “You seem... distracted today. Is everything alright?”

Charlotte hesitated, debating whether to confide in the older woman. But something about Marta’s kind eyes and steady presence made her feel safe.

“It’s nothing,” Charlotte said finally, though her tone lacked conviction. “Just... adjusting to everything here.”

Marta nodded knowingly. “This house can be overwhelming,” she said. “But you’re doing well, and Jasmine seems happy.”

Charlotte smiled faintly. “She is. Thank you.”

As they continued working, the sound of voices drifted in from the hallway. Charlotte recognized Brandon’s cheerful tone, followed by Astor’s deeper, more serious voice.

“You’ll need to tighten security,” Astor was saying. “I don’t want any more surprises.”

“Understood, sir,” Brandon replied.

Charlotte’s grip on the bowl tightened. What was Astor talking about? And did it have anything to do with the note she’d received?

\---

That evening, Charlotte was in Jasmine’s room, helping her pick up toys. The little girl chatted happily about her day, her innocence was everything, it showed in her face and expression.

“Mommy, look!” Jasmine said suddenly, holding up her favorite doll. “She wants to sleep with me tonight.”

Charlotte smiled despite herself having to deal with a lot of things, “Of course, sweetheart.”

As they continued tidying up, something unusual caught Charlotte’s eye. A small envelope was tucked into the corner of Jasmine’s toy box, almost hidden beneath a pile of stuffed animals.

Frowning, Charlotte picked it up. The handwriting on the envelope was the same as the note she’d received the night before.

Her stomach churned as she opened it, pulling out a single sheet of paper.

The message was chilling:

“You’re not safe. Neither is she.”

Charlotte’s breath caught, and her hands trembled as she clutched the note. Who was doing this? And how had they gotten so close to Jasmine?

“Mommy?” Jasmine said, her voice pulling Charlotte back to reality. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, baby,” Charlotte said quickly, forcing a smile. “Just... thinking about something.”

Jasmine didn’t seem convinced, but she nodded and returned to her toys.

Charlotte's thoughts was messed up, she knew how cunning William can be but he doesn't know about Jasmine.

Or has he found out?

She tapped her foot slightly on the floor, with her arms akimbo.

“Mom, I need more toys..” Jasmine pointed but Charlotte was too lost in thought that she didn't hear her.

Jasmine didn't persist, instead she did something funny, she climbed one of the chairs close to Charlotte and kissed her cheeks.

Charlotte's eyes widened in surprise, “oh Jasmine….”