Chapter 2 - The Woman in Silver
Celeste Armand arrived five months later.
Everything changed.
She was beautiful in the effortless way only enormous amounts of money could create.
Her father controlled construction companies across three states.
Her mother came from European banking money.
Celeste understood powerful rooms.
More importantly, she understood how to dominate them.
The first time she met Elara, she handed her a coat without looking at her.
“Dry-clean this.”
Elara caught it.
Mrs. Bell whispered later, “Choose your battles.”
“I didn't choose anything.”
“You looked at her.”
“I have eyes.”
Mrs. Bell sighed.
“Elara.”
“I'll behave.”
She did.
Mostly.
But Celeste seemed irritated by anyone who refused to fear her.
One afternoon she deliberately knocked a tray from Elara's hands.
“You're getting careless.”
Elara looked at the shattered porcelain.
“You hit it.”
Celeste smiled.
“Excuse me?”
“You hit the tray.”
“Are you calling me a liar?”
“No. I'm describing physics.”
Mrs. Bell nearly choked behind them.
Celeste stepped closer.
“You think Luca protects you?”
“I think Mr. Valenti employs me.”
“Same difference.”
“No.”
That answer bothered Celeste.
From then on, she watched Elara.
What Elara didn't understand was why.
There was nothing romantic between her and Luca.
Their conversations were short.
Occasionally sarcastic.
Usually practical.
Yet Luca listened when Elara spoke.
And Celeste noticed.
One evening, Elara brought documents into the library.
Luca was alone.
“You're working late,” he said.
“So are you.”
“I own the house.”
“Congratulations.”
He looked up.
“Do you speak to everyone this way?”
“Only people who can't fire me.”
“I can fire you.”
Elara considered this.
“Then I've seriously miscalculated.”
Luca laughed.
A real laugh.
Neither noticed Celeste standing outside the half-open door.
But Elara would remember that moment later.
Because the next morning, Celeste asked Mrs. Bell to dismiss her.
Luca refused.
May you like
And from that day forward, something cold entered the house.
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