Catherine is in her room, reading over information, contemplating her next move. She feels a presence and understands she's being watched.
Catherine paced her little room, her head a swirl of conflicting thoughts and feelings. Liam a murderer? It seemed inconceivable, yet the evidence was piling. Sarah's disclosure about Elizabeth's death not being an accident had thrown everything into pandemonium. The diary, Victor's enigmatic remarks, Liam's secretiveness, and the locked box - they all pointed to something ominous.
She put out images of Liam, Elizabeth, Isabelle, and other significant people connected to the Scotts on her bed. She reread the notes she had taken, linking what little pieces of knowledge she had. It was like a puzzle with most of the pieces missing.
Was she being manipulated by Sarah and her organization? They looked so bent on demonstrating Liam's guilt. What if they were wrong? What if they were leading her down the wrong path?
Suddenly, she felt a cold run down her spine. A prickling sensation at the back of her neck. She wasn't alone.
She swung around, surveying the room. The curtains were drawn, the door was closed, and the only light emanated from the little lamp on her desk. Yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being observed.
She stepped to the window, cautiously peered through the gap in the curtains. The grounds were enveloped in darkness, the trees casting long, skeleton shadows across the lawn. She saw nothing.
But as she turned back to the room, she spotted it. A small shadow darted over the wall, receding as fast as it appeared. Someone was observing her from the corridor.
She took a large candlestick from her desk, her heart beating in her chest. She wasn't sure who was out there, but she was ready to defend herself.
Catherine investigates, finding Lois loitering outside her door. A tense conversation ensues.
Taking a deep breath, Catherine ripped open the door, her candlestick lifted high.
Lois stood in the doorway, her eyes wide with amazement. She was wearing her pajamas and cuddling a teddy bear, her countenance a blend of innocence and remorse.
"Lois?" Catherine murmured, lowering the lamp. "What are you doing here? It's late."
Lois hesitated, then looked down at her feet. "I… I couldn't sleep," she murmured. "I heard noises."
Catherine didn't believe her. She knew Lois was eavesdropping on her, attempting to find her secrets.
"Were you watching me, Lois?" she said, her voice firm.
Lois's face reddened. "No," she lied. "I wasn't watching you. I was just… walking by."
Catherine sighed. "Lois, I know you don't trust me," she added, her voice softening. "But I'm not trying to injure you or your dad. I'm just trying to help."
Lois gazed up at her, her eyes filled with distrust. "How can you help?" she inquired. "You're a liar. You're always sneaking around, hiding stuff."
Catherine hesitated, then decided to be honest with her. "I'm trying to find out what really happened to your mother," she continued. "I don't think it was an accident."
Lois gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief. "What? But… Dad said-"
"I know what your dad said," Catherine interrupted. "But I don't think he's telling the full truth. I suspect he's hiding something."
Lois glanced at Catherine, her thoughts definitely reeling. She definitely didn't have this piece of knowledge, or know that someone suspected her dad.
Catherine plans to break into Liam's study to discover the key to the locked box. She nearly gets caught.
Knowing she needed additional information, Catherine decided to take a risk. She would break into Liam's study and find the key to the locked box. She knew it was risky, but she couldn't escape the notion that the box held the key to everything.
She waited until the mansion was silent and peaceful. Then, she crept out of her room and tiptoed down the hallway towards the study.
She reached the door, her heart thumping in her chest. She gingerly turned the knob, praying it wouldn't squeak. The door opened silently, and she slipped inside.
The study was dark and still, the only light coming from the moon filtering through the window. She closed the door carefully behind her and turned on her phone flashlight.
She started exploring the desk, carefully digging through the drawers, looking for the key. She found pens, paperclips, old bills, but no key.
She was ready to give trying when she discovered a little, beautiful box hiding behind a stack of books on the bookcase. She reached for the box, her fingers twitching with eagerness.
But as she touched the box, she heard a commotion behind her. A gentle creak of the floors.
Someone was in the room with her.
She swung around, her torch flashing into the darkness. Liam stood in the doorway, his face a mask of fury.
Liam confronts Catherine in his study. He's outraged and demands to know what she's doing. She tries to play it off, but he doesn't believe her.
"What are you doing in here?" Liam demanded, his voice a low growl. "What are you looking for?"
Catherine froze, her mind whirling. She had been caught red-handed. She had to think fast.
"I… I couldn't sleep," she stammered, her voice trembling. "I came down here to read."
Liam lifted an eyebrow, his gaze full with disbelief. "In the dark?" he asked. "With a flashlight?"
Catherine reddened, realizing how silly she sounded. "I… I was just looking for a book," she murmured, grabbing at straws. "I couldn't find the light switch."
Liam drew closer, his gaze piercing. "Don't lie to me, Lena," he whispered, his voice dangerously low. "I know you're up to something. What are you really doing in my study?"
Catherine hesitated, then decided to tell him a partial truth. "I was looking for information about Elizabeth," she said. "I don't believe she died in an accident. I assume she was murdered."
(Webnovel touch: A partial confession. Increases the tension and generates a "cat and mouse" dynamic between the characters.)
Liam's face hardened, his eyes flashing with wrath. "How dare you," he snarled. "How dare you desecrate my wife's memory like that? Get out. Get out of my house, and never come back."
Catherine kept her ground, her voice firm. "I'm not leaving," she said. "I'm going to find out the truth about Elizabeth, no matter what it takes."
Liam lunged towards her, gripping her arm. "I want you to know what happened to my wife, and I don't appreciate you coming into my house trying to look for something that is not there."
Catherine felt as if she was unsafe. "Okay, okay, let me go."
Liam then unexpectedly kissed Catherine.
Isabelle is observing what happened between Liam and Catherine from a security camera
Isabelle was watching all of the activity, what Liam did she did not expect at all. "I can't believe this is happening right now".
As Liam kissed Catherine, pulling her close, they were both oblivious that they were being watched. What would Isabelle do with this information? and what will their kiss lead to?