Chapter 396


    The idea hit me like a freight train, and suddenly I was too wired to sleep.


    I sprang up from my bed, grabbed the phone again, and dialed Catherine''s number without a second


    thought. My heart sank as it rang unanswered, yet again.


    Panic set in. I threw back the covers and paced the room, my heart pounding. I redialed her number


    every few minutes, but the result was the same - no answer.


    Something was off, terribly off. Catherine would never miss a call at this hour.


    Ditching any further hesitation, I dialed Logan''s number instead. He picked up almost instantly, his


    voice husky with sleep, "Hey, what''s up?


    I cut to the chase, "Logan, where are you exactly? Still in Silverdale City?"


    “You know I''m at the Wood Manor, right?" He grumbled something incoherent, followed by the sound of


    rustling sheets. He must''ve been sleeping lightly; otherwise, he wouldn''t have answered so quickly.


    "I''m on my way," I said, and hung up before he could ask any questions.


    Rushing to the door, I realized I was still in my pajamas – not exactly appropriate attire for a house full


    of guys. I dashed back, slipped into a dress, and hurried out the door.


    ncing at the clock, it read 4:45 a.m. – most people would be sound asleep.


    The house was eerily quiet, but as I passed the living room, I heard rustling noises.


    I stopped dead in my tracks. Could it be my dad up this early?


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    Creeping forward, I peeked inside and spotted Gemma, taking photos of some blueprints sprawled


    across the coffee table.


    She was so engrossed in her task that she hadn''t noticed me standing there.


    As her hand reached for arger blueprint, my voice sliced through the silence, "What are you doing


    with those?"


    Startled, Gemma fumbled, and her phone ttered to the floor with a loud smack.


    She looked up at me, eyes wide with terror, lips quivering as she stuttered, "M-Miss, I was just...


    curious about the kids'' drawings. I thought..."


    Icy calm, I bent down to straighten the papers. "Curious? Then why the secrecy? You seem very


    interested in those. What are you nning to do with them? These are the kids'' hard work. If you mess


    them up, it''s all for nothing. What is it with you, always snooping around?"


    That''s when Hannah strode into the room, rmed. "What''s going on?"


    I red at Gemma and said, "She was sneaking around and taking photos!"


    Her excuses were a jumbled mess. I ignored her, picking up her phone from the ground. She lunged for


    it, but Hannah blocked her with a firm hand.


    Gemma''s eyes narrowed in defiance, "There''s nothing on my phone, Miss!" Read at


    I looked up at Gemma, my gaze frosty. "Care to exin?"