Maya nodded, her expression carefully neutral, but Heena could see the calculation in her eyes.
The trap was baited.
Now they just had to wait for their prey to take it.
---
''[Afternoon - Final Preparations]''
While Heena spent the afternoon going through her normal routines—visiting the kitchen, walking in the garden, chatting with servants—Samuel was busy positioning their assets.
He met discretely with Master Feng and Master Zhao at the latter's shop in the market district.
"I need your help with something delicate," Samuel said after ensuring they had privacy.
Both elder merchants looked at him with interest.
"My stepmother has hired a man to attack my wife," Samuel said bluntly. "We have intelligence that the attack will occur this evening in the servants' quarters."
Master Feng's expression darkened with anger. "That's outrageous! We must alert the authorities—"
