Isabella opened the door and peeked into the room.
No one was there. Relief washed over her, but only for a second. She knew this was a life-or-death situation, and the consequences of failing were far worse.
She could not jeopardize her future. Not now, not when she already had a suitable suitor. This was the only way to keep her secret hidden.
Stepping inside, she looked around again. She was here for one thing; the invitation.
She tiptoed carefully, scanning every corner of the room. Her heart raced. She knew what she was doing was wrong. She could get caught. She could get in serious trouble.
But she couldn't risk her future. Not for anything.
Her eyes moved across the desk, the shelves, the drawers. She had to find it. The invitation was everything.
As she continued to look around, Isabella couldn't help but admire the bedroom. She had never seen anything like it before.
Adjusting her maid uniform, her disguise, she kept searching for the invitation. Every corner, every drawer, every shelf reflected wealth. The owner clearly had exquisite taste.
She checked the drawers one by one. Nothing.
Finally, her eyes landed on the third shelf. Something flat and delicate peeked out from the back. Could it be it?
Isabella grabbed a stone and climbed onto it, stretching her hand as far as she could. Her fingers brushed the edge. She pulled carefully and brought it down.
Her heart jumped. It was the invitation.
Just as she let out a silent breath of relief, the door clicked open.
She froze.
Someone stepped into the room.
"What are you doing here?" a voice demanded.
She was shocked on the spot.
Her first thought was a desperate prayer. Please, let it not be the owner of the room. If it was, she was finished.
Camilla and Elena had assured her he would not be around. They had promised. Clutching the invitation, her hands shook as fear crept up her spine.
"I said, what are you doing here?"
The voice came again, sharper this time.
Slowly, Isabella turned around.
Her heart stopped.
Standing at the doorway was none other than the owner of the room. Adrain Verity. The ruthless CEO himself.
Shock hit her like a wave. It left her frozen, breathless.
"I will ask again," Andre said, his voice rising. "What are you doing here?"
"I… I was cleaning the room," Isabella stammered.
He studied her coldly. "And yet I have never seen you in this mansion."
Her stomach dropped.
"I know the person who cleans my room," he continued. "I will ask for the last time. What are you doing here?"
"I'm new," she said quickly. "I came to clean the room."
His eyes moved to her hand.
"Then why," Andre demanded, "is my invitation in your hand?"
Isabella couldn't speak.
Her mind went blank. Her lips refused to move.
"Come down from that stool," he ordered. "And come here."
Her legs felt weak as she climbed down. Each step toward him felt heavier than the last. Her hands trembled. So did her feet.
She stopped in front of him, unable to lift her head.
"Now," Adrian said calmly, "can I have my invitation back?"
He took it from her hand before she could react.
A cold smile tugged at his lips. "So you're one of those desperate girls who want a physical confrontation with me. You wanted to talk to me so badly that you went this far to get an invitation."
His gaze hardened. "How desperate."
"I'm not desperate," Isabella blurted out. "I wasn't trying to, uh, I didn't, I…"
"Don't even go there," he cut in. "Then why was the invitation in your hand?"
She had no answer.
Silence filled the room.
"For breaking into my room and attempting to steal," Adrian continued, "you will face repercussions. Do you want to go to jail?"
"Please," Isabella begged, panic breaking through her voice. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to do it. They forced me. Please forgive me. I'll do anything… just don't take me to jail."
Her words fell flat.
"What you just said," Adrian replied coldly, "is falling on deaf ears."
"I'm sorry," she cried. "I'll do anything. Anything. Please."
He studied her for a moment.
"Let's start with something simple," he said. "What's your name?"
"Isabella," she replied.
"Isabella who?"
"Isabella Verne," she said, her voice shaking.
Adrian's gaze sharpened. Without another word, he picked up his phone and made a call.
Two minutes later, a man appeared. Sharp suit, glasses, professional, with a high-tech tablet in hand.
Adrian handed him instructions. "I want everything on Isabella Verne. Every record. Every detail. Find out everything she's hiding."
The man nodded and immediately began working.
They all stood in the room as information streamed onto the screen. Personal records, family history, everything she had tried to keep secret.
Adrian studied her carefully. Then his eyes landed on her face.
"Oh," he said slowly. "So you are the unacknowledged, adopted daughter of a maid living with the Verne family."
Shock froze Isabella. That secret… the one she had spent her entire life protecting… was now completely exposed.
Adrian noticed her fear. A small smile touched his lips. "I see you're scared. Good."
He stepped closer. "I have a proposition for you."
Her breath caught.
"I won't have you arrested or thrown into jail," he continued, "unless you refuse what I'm about to say."
Isabella held her breath, knowing this man was capable of anything.
Since I already know who you are," Adrian said coldly.
Isabella stiffened.
"You will get married to my puppet," he continued. "When I say puppet, I mean my adopted brother."
Her breath caught.
"For six months," Adrian added calmly. "You will make the marriage look real. You will get him to fall in love with you." He paused, his eyes dark. "And then you will break his heart by cheating on him."
Shock slammed into Isabella.
This was the last thing she had expected. Her mind refused to process his words.
"Did you just say… get married?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I don't repeat myself," Adrian replied. "Either you agree, or you go to prison."
He stepped closer. "And trust me, your family will not come looking for you. Or should I say, the people you live with."
Isabella felt the room spin.
Marriage or prison.
Her future or her freedom.
She was trapped between two nightmares, and neither offered mercy.
Her mind spun. She didn't know how she could survive this.