At Lancaster Mansion,
Seraphina answered the call with ease when it started ringing, but her expression stiffened as soon as she heard the news. [Ma'am, Damien had been released for a week, under the guarantee of a deputy chief of police, citing his grandmother's critical state.]
Her grip on the phone tightened, but before she could speak, the caller hesitated, then added almost reluctantly, [He has already met Aveline Laurent.]
The shift in Seraphina's face was instant. Fury flashed in her eyes, her meticulous schemes crumbling with Damien's simple action. She had been weaving her web so carefully, making Aveline doubt her sanity, one step at a time. Damien's sudden appearance meant tearing her plan all apart. Now she has to start from scratch.
Her voice dripped venom. "Why wasn't I informed sooner?" she hissed, seething at the betrayal.
