Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet) The Manipulator³

The Manipulator³

𝙿𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚘𝚖

Let's start.

Then I walk over to the thermostat, the number causing another shiver to wrack my body.

Sixty-two goddamn degrees.

I press my thumb into the up arrow and don’t stop until the temperature is set to seventy-four. I don’t mind cooler temperatures, but I’d prefer it if my nípplè$ didn’t cut through all of my clothing.

I turn back around and face a home that’s both old and new—a home that housed my heart since I could remember, even if my body left for a little while.

And then I smile, basking in the gothic glory of Parsons Manor. It’s how my great-grandparents decorated the house, and the taste has passed down through the generations. Nana used to say that she liked it best when she was the brightest thing in the room. Despite that, she still had old people’s taste.

I mean, really, why do those white throw pillows have a border of lace around them and a weird, embroidered bouquet of flowers in the middle? That’s not cute. That’s ugly.

I sigh.

𝙰𝙳𝙴𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙴 𝚁𝙴𝙸𝙻𝙻𝚈

Well, Nana, I came back. Just like you wanted.

I whisper to the dead air.

𝚄𝙽𝙺𝙽𝙾𝚆𝙽

Are you ready?

My personal assistant asks from beside me.

I glance over at Marietta, noting how she’s absently holding out the mic to me, her attention ensnared on the people still filtering into the small building.

This local bookstore wasn’t built for numerous people, but somehow, they’re making it work anyway.

𝙿𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚘𝚖

I got to know that we have to read "Satan's Affair" first then this one.

𝙿𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚘𝚖

So, I'm a bit confused now.

𝙿𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚘𝚖

Should I continue this? Or hold it for sometime so we can continue Satan's Affair and then we read this?

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