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Chapter 14: Vivienne's Pursuit

Author: Marcus Vale
last update Last Updated: 2025-01-16 15:37:56

The storm howled outside Haverstone Manor as Vivienne moved swiftly through the labyrinthine corridors. The folded parchment pressed against her chest beneath her dress felt like a promise—a path to the power she had long craved. Her heels clicked sharply against the stone floor, their rhythm steady despite the tempest brewing both outside and within.

Vivienne’s mind worked in overdrive, dissecting the parchment’s instructions. The stabilization sequence required three anchor points within the manor, but the notes didn’t specify their exact locations. Her uncle’s penchant for riddles was maddening, yet she knew he wouldn’t have left the clues beyond her reach. The gallery, the study, and perhaps the cellar—these were likely candidates.

She rounded a corner and stopped abruptly. The faint sound of voices carried through the air, barely audible over the wind rattling the manor’s windows. Pressing herself against the wall, Vivienne strained to listen. Emma and Crane, their tones hushed b
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