Chapter 1129:

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He paused for a beat. “This wedding was our idea. Bonnie’s and mine. Low-key. Intimate. Only the people closest to us, the ones we truly wanted to see. Isn’t that right, Bonnie?”

His gaze softened as he looked at his bride.

Bonnie’s body stiffened for a heartbeat, a subtle tremor beneath her forced composure. Then she smiled, a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yes. Claude doesn’t like noise and fuss. I… I think this is perfect.”

Hannah blinked. Claude’s explanation sounded plausible enough. It was no secret that he and his parents were at odds, and Bonnie did seem the gentle, quiet type, one who would never court ostentation.

Still, the wedding felt awfully sparse, shabby even. Hannah felt a silent pang of indignation on Bonnie’s behalf. But this was someone else’s wedding. As a guest, she had no right to judge.

Suppressing the unease curling inside her, Hannah nodded lightly. “As long as you two are happy, that’s all that matters. I wish you a happy marriage and a lifetime together.”

Claude’s smile broadened, his gaze holding hers a moment longer than necessary. “Thank you. Anna… I’m truly glad you made it. In fact, there’s something I’ve been meaning to give you, and today seems like the perfect opportunity.”

“What is it?” Hannah asked, curiosity flickering beneath her caution.

𝗧𝘩𝗈u𝘀𝘢ո𝘥𝗌 𝘰𝗳 𝘳𝖾a𝗱e𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝘯 𝘨𝘢𝘭𝗻𝘰vе𝗅𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺

“An old photo album I keep in my study,” Claude said, his voice warm, laced with nostalgia. “Pictures of us from childhood, along with a few group photos of your parents. I think you should be the one to keep it. Bonnie, could you take Anna upstairs to fetch it? It’s in the second drawer on the left in the study. I need to speak with a few friends down here.”

Bonnie murmured, “Okay,” then turned to Hannah with a polite, if measured, smile. “Come with me.”

Without hesitation, Hannah followed, and together they ascended the spiral staircase.

Bonnie walked slowly, remaining silent the entire way.

At the far end of the second-floor corridor, Bonnie stopped before a door. With a gentle push, she opened it. “This is it,” she said.

Hannah stepped inside.

The moment she crossed the threshold, Hannah’s instincts screamed a warning. Every detail felt out of place.

Her attention was caught, irrevocably, by the wall behind the imposing desk: a mosaic composed entirely of photographs, and every single one was of her. Had Claude taken the trouble to move those images from his private darkroom into this study?

A sharp metallic click shattered the quiet.

Bonnie had turned the key in the lock, sealing the heavy oak door from the outside.

“Bonnie!” Hannah’s voice cracked with rising panic. “What are you doing? Unlock this door right now!” She rushed forward, rattling the handle violently. “Let me out!”

Beyond the door, only oppressive silence answered.

Forcing herself to breathe steadily, Hannah fought to regain control.

She scanned the room for options. The only visible exit was the locked door, and the tall panoramic window was firmly shut, with no sign of giving way.

She dug into her pocket for her phone. No signal whatsoever. A jammer had clearly been installed; this space had been deliberately isolated.

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