SUSPICION
Herold sits in his office, swirling a glass of whiskey as one of his bodyguards briefs him on Ella’s activities.
Bodyguard
Bodyguard 1: She’s been spending her days training with that old combat dummy and studying herbs. Strange behavior for someone supposedly seeking safety.
Herold banguish
Herold: [Smirking] Strange, indeed. She’s preparing for something.
bodyguard 2
Bodyguard 2: Do you think she’s planning to run?
Herold banguish
Herold: [Sipping his drink] Perhaps. But she won’t get far. Increase the security around her place. Guards every night. And install cameras—discreet ones. I want to know her every move.
Later that evening, Ella notices men moving around the estate, installing what looks like security systems. Herold arrives, casually leaning against the doorframe.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Frowning] What’s all this?
Herold banguish
Herold: [Feigning innocence] Just ensuring your safety, fiancée. Can’t have you wandering off or getting into trouble.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Crossing her arms] Sounds more like you’re trying to keep me locked in.
Herold banguish
Herold: [Smirking] Call it what you will.
After the cameras are installed, Ella paces her living room, glaring at the small, hidden devices she’s spotted. Her irritation bubbles over.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Muttering] Safety, my foot. This is a cover-up to spy on me.
She examines one of the cameras, thinking of ways to neutralize it without raising suspicion. Suddenly, an idea strikes her.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Smirking] If he wants to watch me, then I’ll give him something worth watching—or nothing at all.
Ella carefully takes photos of the areas each camera covers, ensuring the angles match perfectly. She prints out the images and aligns them with the cameras’ views, effectively “blinding” them with static shots of the empty room.
She places the first photo in front of a camera, stepping back to admire her handiwork.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Satisfied] Perfect. Let’s see how long it takes him to notice.
In his larger mansion, Herold sits in his study, reviewing the live camera feeds on his monitor. At first, everything appears normal, but then he notices something odd.
Herold banguish
Herold: [Frowning] Why is nothing moving?
He switches between feeds, realizing all the cameras show eerily still images. He leans back in his chair, a slow smirk spreading across his face.
Herold banguish
Herold: Clever girl. She’s not as naïve as she pretends to be.
He calls in one of his bodyguards.
Herold banguish
Herold: [Calmly] Bring me the footage from Ella’s cameras. I want to see what she’s been up to.
Ella sits in her room, reading a book with a calm expression, though her mind races with plans. She knows Herold isn’t easily fooled, but she also knows she can’t let him control her.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Thinking] He’s suspicious of me, but that’s fine. The less he knows, the better.
She glances at the blinded cameras, a faint smile on her lips.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Softly to herself] Let’s see how much longer you’ll play this little game, Herold.
Herold watches the footage in slow motion, trying to piece together Ella’s actions. He leans back in his chair, his smile fading into a more serious expression.
Herold banguish
Herold: [Thinking] She’s resourceful, I’ll give her that. But if she thinks I’ll let her outsmart me, she’s in for a surprise.
He stands, determination etched on his face.
Herold banguish
Herold: Time to raise the stakes.
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