Chapter 697. The Cunning Woman Had a Backup Plan

The narrow corridor was dim until Caitlin flipped a switch on the wall. Lights flickered on, revealing sleek metallic walls patterned with faint geometric lines. A staircase led downward into a space that gleamed faintly under the warm glow of recessed lamps.

At the bottom of the stairs, they entered a lavishly decorated chamber—more like a private sanctuary than a simple secret room.

The air was scented faintly with perfume and old wine. Polished antiques lined the shelves: a vintage gramophone, rows of rare red wines, candle holders shaped like swans. On the walls hung framed photographs of Nicoletta and Fletcher—smiling, embracing, even one in which they wore wedding attire.

At the center of the room stood a vast circular bed draped in pink silk canopies. Matching robes and a woman’s lace gown hung on the rack beside it. Everything in the room came in pairs, from the glasses to the pillows.

Caitlin let out a quiet, cutting laugh. “So this is your little lo