Just as I was about to drift off to sleep, the attic door suddenly creaked open. Before I could even lift my head, a bucket of freezing water was dumped over me. The attacker acted swiftly, slamming the door shut and scurrying away before I could react.

Back in Delia's room, the maid reported that she had done as instructed. Delia smirked. "Good job. As long as you keep doing what I tell you, you'll be rewarded."

The maid looked uneasy. "Ms. Nixon, it's so cold, and there's nothing in the attic. What if something happens to Ms. Lanka?" She had only wanted a stable job to support her family—not...