Chapter 4 - The Hidden Truth
Maria grabbed my hand and pulled me into the dark, dusty passageway before Julian could return.
She quickly pushed the bookshelf closed, sealing us in complete darkness just as the study door unlocked.
We heard Julian shouting in frustration, tearing the room apart as he realized his prisoner was gone.
Maria turned on her small flashlight and guided me down a steep spiral staircase hidden within the walls of the old mansion.
She whispered that she had discovered the servant passages months ago but kept them a secret to avoid Agnes’s wrath.
She handed me the cell phone, explaining that the signal jammer did not reach the underground wine cellar.
I immediately dialed the emergency number for the local police, praying someone would answer.
The line connected, but the voice on the other end made my blood run cold.
It was Julian’s uncle, the powerful local judge, speaking from the police dispatch center.
He calmly informed me that Julian had already reported me as a hysterical, violent mother who had kidnapped her own child.
He warned me that if I tried to involve the authorities, he would have me committed to a psychiatric ward permanently.
I ended the call, realizing that the local law enforcement was completely in Julian’s pocket.
We reached the damp, cold wine cellar, where Maria had hidden a small first-aid kit and a crowbar.
She told me she had seen Agnes putting a strange green vial into her purse right after making Lily’s tea.
If we could get that vial, the paramedics might be able to identify the poison and administer an antidote.
I knew Agnes was still upstairs in the ballroom, drinking champagne and celebrating her twisted victory.
I grabbed the heavy iron crowbar, my fear slowly transforming into a burning, unbreakable rage.
I left Maria in the cellar and crept up the back staircase that led directly into the master suite.
Agnes’s diamond-studded purse was sitting carelessly on the massive four-poster bed.
I unzipped the bag and quickly found the small glass vial filled with glowing green liquid.
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Just as my fingers closed around the cold glass, I heard the distinct click of a pistol hammer locking into place behind me.
Agnes stood in the doorway, aiming a small silver handgun directly at my chest.
