The lair was unusually quiet as Violet made her way through the dimly lit corridors.

The eerie stillness sent a shiver down her spine, but she pushed the feeling aside, determined to find Mauritius.

He hadn’t been himself lately, and she knew it had everything to do with the looming threat of Dorothy Hudson.

As Violet approached Mauritius’ office, she hesitated.

Something felt off, but she couldn’t place it.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open, only to freeze at the sight before her.

Sitting comfortably in Mauritius’ chair was a woman she recognized all too well—

Dorothy Hudson.

The air seemed to thicken with tension as their eyes locked, and a smirk slowly spread across Dorothy’s lips.

“Well, well,” Dorothy drawled, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

“Look who wandered in. The little journalist who’s been playing detective.”

Violet’s heart raced, but she forced herself to remain calm.

“What are you doing here, Dorothy? You shouldn’t be in this office, and you certainly shouldn’t be here at all.”

Dorothy tilted her head, feigning innocence.

“Oh, I’m just here to check on an old friend.

Mauritius and I go way back, you know. But I suppose he’s too busy to see me right now. How unfortunate.”

“Unfortunate for you,” Violet shot back, her voice steady despite the growing unease.

“Mauritius doesn’t need someone like you around, stirring up trouble. You’ve done enough damage.”

Dorothy’s smile widened, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous light.

“Damage? My dear, you misunderstand. I’ve only ever tried to help.

It’s not my fault if people choose to see things the wrong way.”

Violet stepped closer, her fists clenched at her sides. “You’ve twisted everything to suit your agenda. You’ve ruined lives, including Mauritius’.

Why? What could you possibly gain from all this?”

Dorothy leaned back in the chair, her demeanor cool and calculating.

“I simply provide the truth as I see it. If others choose to misinterpret it, well, that’s hardly my fault, now is it?”

“The truth?” Violet’s voice rose, incredulous.

“You’ve done nothing but spread lies and manipulate people for your own gain.

You can’t possibly believe the things you say.”

Dorothy’s expression darkened, and for a moment, her mask slipped, revealing the cold, calculating woman beneath.

“Believe? Oh, Violet, belief is for the weak. What matters is power,

control. And I’ve mastered both.”

Violet took another step forward, her resolve hardening.

“I won’t let you get away with this, Dorothy. Mauritius won’t let you. He’ll stop you, no matter what it takes.”

Dorothy chuckled softly, a sound devoid of warmth.

“Oh, Violet, you’re so naive. Do you really think you can change anything?

Do you think Mauritius is some kind of hero? He’s no different from me.

He’ll do whatever it takes to survive, just like I have.”

“He’s not like you,” Violet insisted, her voice firm. “He cares about people, about those who are loyal to him.

You… you destroy everything you touch.”

Dorothy’s eyes narrowed, and she rose from the chair, slowly circling Violet.

“Is that what you think? That Mauritius is some noble figure, protecting the innocent? How quaint. But I’ll let you in on a little secret, dear.

Mauritius and I… we’re cut from the same cloth. He’s just better at hiding it.”

Violet glared at her, refusing to back down.

“You’re wrong. Mauritius has flaws, but he’s not a monster. And I’ll prove it. I’ll expose you for what you really are.”

Dorothy paused, her smirk returning.

“Expose me? Oh, darling, you’ll find that’s a lot harder than it sounds. But by all means, try.

I’d love to see you squirm.”

Before Violet could respond, the door to the office swung open, and Mauritius stepped in.

His eyes flicked between Violet and Dorothy, his expression unreadable.

“What’s going on here?” Mauritius asked, his voice calm but laced with a dangerous undertone.

Dorothy turned to face him, her demeanor instantly shifting to one of pleasant surprises.

“Mauritius, darling! I was just catching up with your lovely assistant here. We were having the most delightful conversation.”

Mauritius’ gaze hardened as he looked at Dorothy, then shifted to Violet.

“Is that so?”

Violet’s breath caught, knowing that any wrong move could tip the scales.

“She was just leaving,” she said, her tone even.

Dorothy’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. “Oh, but we were just getting to know each other. It’s such a shame to cut it short.”

“Leave, Dorothy,” Mauritius said, his voice cold.

“Now.”

Dorothy’s eyes flashed with anger, but she maintained her composure.

“Very well. But don’t think this is over, Mauritius. We have unfinished business,

you and I.”

With that, Dorothy swept out of the room, leaving a heavy silence in her wake.

Mauritius turned to Violet, his expression softening slightly.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice gentler.

Violet nodded, though she still felt the weight of the encounter.

“She’s dangerous, Mauritius. We need to be careful.”

Mauritius sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I know. Dorothy’s always been like that—twisting words, turning people against each other.

But we’ll deal with her. Together.”

Violet managed a small smile, reassured by his words.

“Together.”

As they stood in the quiet office, the reality of their situation settled over them.

The battle with Dorothy was far from over, but they were no longer facing it alone.

For the first time, Violet felt a glimmer of hope—hope that, despite the odds, they could emerge victorious.