#Chapter 87: Web of Lies

Karl As I pull Gianna into the dimly lit study, the atmosphere is filled with a tension that’s been brewing for weeks now, maybe even longer. The door clicks shut behind us, sealing us off from the guests, the judgment, and the murmurs. For a moment, we are suspended in a bubble of silence, and I finally address what’s been gnawing at me. “A pathetic housemaid?” I ask. Gianna shoots me a quizzical look, but I can see the gears turning in her head. She’s trying not to display emotion, which is just a dead giveaway. “A… what?” she asks, taking a step back. I take another step toward her, closing the gap once again. “Don’t play dumb,” I growl. “Is that really what you called her?” “Called who?” Gianna’s voice begins to rise ever so slightly. “Abby, of course,” I say, folding my arms across my chest. For a few moments, Gianna is silent. Then, mustering a tense smile, she cocks her head to the side. “I’m sorry, Karl, but I have no clue what you’re ta