Chapter 327

Celeste Harper gripped the stair railing tight, her face suddenly drained of all color. "Mrs. Zora..." She tried calling out, but her voice barely made a sound—no more than a mosquito’s buzz. Cold wind seeped in through the shattered glass in the living room, and in the dim light filtered by the fireworks outside, she spotted a familiar slipper at the kitchen door—Mrs. Zora’s slipper. But inside the kitchen stood someone clearly larger, taller—definitely a man. Celeste’s hand trembled as her body froze on the staircase. And then, the moment that tall shadow stepped out from the kitchen, her knees buckled and she dropped onto the stairs. A low chuckle drifted out with the slow, heavy footsteps. "Kind of disappointing. I thought Ethan Shaw might’ve at least left someone to protect you. Guess this was easier than expected." The man’s voice was unexpectedly clear. He wasn’t that tall—about 5'9", maybe. As he stepped into the dining area, a burst of fireworks lit up the room, finally reveal