The Flower That Grew from Ashes novel Chapter 42

Clarissa's figure quickly disappeared around the corner at the end of the hallway.

Annelise stood motionless behind the door, but her mind was boiling over like a pot of hot oil.

The rules of the Lehman Estate were brutally strict, the hierarchy absolute.

Barnum's study was the core restricted area of the entire mansion; aside from himself and the head butler, Felix, no one was allowed to enter freely—not even his own son, Hackett.

Yet now, Clarissa, supposedly just a grieving widow, was openly carrying the keys to that very room.

Annelise didn't hesitate any longer.

She gently twisted the lock of Hackett's study, slipped out, and swiftly locked the door behind her, slipping the key back into her pocket.

The entire process was completely silent.

Like the most agile cat, she hugged the shadows of the wall and quietly trailed after her.

Hiding at the corner of the hallway, she peeked just half her face around the bend to observe the movement ahead.

Clarissa reached the door of Barnum's study.

She paused, habitually glancing left and right to ensure the corridor was empty.

Then, with practiced ease, she selected a key from the ring, slid it into the lock, and pushed open the heavy, solid wood door.

She slipped inside and swiftly shut the door behind her.

Annelise glanced at the watch on her wrist.

It was 3:15 PM.

At this time, Barnum was miles away at the Lehman Group headquarters, attending a board meeting.

What exactly was Clarissa up to?

Annelise didn't act on impulse and follow her in.

She simply waited silently where she was, like the most patient hunter.

Minute by minute ticked by.

About fifteen minutes later, the study door opened again.

Clarissa walked over, sitting naturally on the stone bench beside Annelise, and considerately adjusted the shawl draped over her shoulders.

"Just getting some fresh air." Annelise smiled, her gaze resting on the blooming roses in the garden.

"Clarissa, you look like you've lost quite a bit of weight lately," Annelise remarked casually, her tone brimming with feigned concern. "Have you been stressing too much? You really need to take care of your health."

Clarissa smiled faintly at the comment, raising a hand to delicately touch her own cheek.

"Have I? It's probably just that I haven't been sleeping well lately."

Her voice dropped lower, and her eyes, with perfect timing, welled up with a thin layer of tears.

"I just keep... dreaming about Elias."

Here we go again.

Another performance using her 'dead' husband as a shield.

Annelise sneered inwardly but immediately arranged her features into an expression of worry and sympathy. She took Clarissa's hand and patted it gently.

She decided it was time to administer a stronger dose of medicine, a much more precise probe. "Clarissa, Elias has been gone for years now. Have you ever thought about... starting over?"