Chapter 15

Selene sashayed into Dashiell’s office as if she owned the place, her entrance heralded by the receptionist’s overly enthusiastic greeting. These daily visits had cemented her image as Dash’s omnipresent girlfriend. Inside, Dashiell was just hanging up on Alfred, his frustration palpable. The butler’s report of no progress on Elodie’s whereabouts had left a bitter taste in his mouth, a taste that only intensified when Selene presented him with her latest ‘culinary masterpiece.’ The dish, a quivering mass of questionable colour, seemed to pulsate on the plate like a wounded animal. A sickly scent, reminiscent of overripe fruit and burnt rubber, assaulted Dashiell’s senses. Selene was oblivious to the potential biohazard she had created. ‘I made it just for you, darling.’ Dashiell winced. His stomach churned, threatening to rebel at the mere thought of consuming the concoction. But he knew he couldn’t refuse. Selene, after all, had gone through ‘so much trouble’ to prepare this culinary