The Ledger

It wasn’t the first time Yvette had been to Henry’s study, but it was the first time she was allowed to stay here after he was done with her. The secret panel, the door behind the bookcase… Could the ledger be hidden in there? Yvette gripped the throw pillow on the sofa, in two minds. Should she cooperate with Austyn? Could she risk trusting him? But what if the evidence wasn’t enough to take down Henry? She didn’t dare to imagine the consequences if Henry found out he’d betrayed her. She was so lost in thought, she didn’t notice Henry coming out from behind the bookcase. He flew into a rage when he saw her sitting on the sofa, wide awake. He stormed over and slapped her hard across the face. Yvette dropped onto the floor with a painful groan. Before she could get up, Henry rained kicks down on her head and her body. She curled herself up into a ball, shielding her head with both hands. ‘No, please!’ Sebastian knocked on the door and waited to be summoned inside. ‘Master, is everything