----
Vivian sat quietly, brows furrowed, listening. She could tell
Judy’s words were aimed at Danielle, but she chose not to
speak up.
Danielle wasn’t interested in wasting any more time on her.
"Judy." Danielle called her name, and Judy instinctively
lifted her head to look at her. Danielle snapped her fingers
sharply. Judy’s eyes widened in shock, a flicker of panic
crossing her face.
"No, please don’t..."
But the next second, Judy’s eyes went empty, distant.
Danielle had hypnotized her.
----
It wasn’t the first time the Darling
family had seen Danielle use
hypnosis out every time it still leftz
them inde. The power was S
astounding—just one snap of Ker
fingéts and someone was instantly
r her control.
----
Hypnosis tooka lot of energy, which
was why Danielle had hesitated
before using it on all three of them:
She had Worried the toxins insides
her might get out of control if she
triedto handle too much at once.
----
“Judy, now I want you to answer my questions honestly. If
you agree, just nod your head," Danielle ordered.
Judy, still under the spell, nodded without hesitation.
"Who am I?" Danielle asked.
“Miss Danielle Darling," Judy replied, her voice mechanical.
"Good. Now tell me, what is your mission here, within the
Darling family?"
----
Judy’s face ceatorted with
resistance, h€r fists clenched tightly
as beads.of, weat appeared on her
forehead Danielle didn’t rush hers
watchiay her struggle with cold
detaghonent The resistance made
thegruth all the more satisfying
Wfien it came.
“Sub...submerge...waiting for Master’s orders...looking for
opportunities to eliminate the Darling family," Judy gasped
out, her voice barely audible.
----
Danielle’s eyes gleamed. "Are there any others in the
Darling family working with you?"
Judy struggled more, her lips trembling, and blood began to
spill from the corner of her mouth.
"Stop resisting," Danielle urged, her voice low and hypnotic.
"Speak, Judy. Tell me. The Master will take you with him if
you speak."
Judy’s resistance faltered as the word "Master" seemed to
trigger something within her. She finally gave in.
"Master... Ivan... lvan," she muttered.
----
Danielle’s eyes widened. Ivan? The long-time servant, who
had always seemed so loyal. This was a shock to the
Darling family.
At that moment, Elliot, Matthew, and Austin jumped to their
feet and rushed toward the door, determined to catch Ivan
before he could escape.
Judy looked up at Danielle with a nk expression. "No...
there’s no one else."
"Do you remember your Master’s name? Say it out loud,”
Daniellemanded.
Judy’s eyes zed overpletely as she muttered,
"ir."
Danielle leaned in closer. "What about his appearance? Do
you remember what he looks like?"
----
“Of course. I always remember my Master,” Judy said, her
voice soft and distant.
"Good," Danielle sai: