Bound by lies Trapped by Desire novel Chapter 138

Chapter 138

Chapter 138

Elena’s POV:

Why the hell had he locked my car door? A knot of unease tightened in my stomach. And here I had naively thought that if things tock a turn for the worse, I could simply open the door and make a quick escape.

The realization that he had effectively trapped me, however briefly, sent a fresh wave of appréhension washing over me. Maybe this hadn’t been such a good idea after all. I watched through the passenger window as Sergei made his way around the hood of the SUV and then opened the door for me. I hesitated for a long moment, my hand gripping the armrest, reluctant to step out into the unfamiliar territory.

He didn’t hurry me, his eyes meeting mine with a patient, almost knowing gaze, and so I felt the initial surge of unease slowly dissipate, replaced by a cautious curiosity and the undeniable draw of finally uncovering the truth about Mielle.

Taking a deep breath of the chilly morning air, I finally pushed the door open and stepped out of the car, my boots crunching softly on the gravel driveway. A shiver ran down my spine, whether from the cold or something else, I couldn’t immediately tell. The door was smoothly pushed closed by Sergei as soon as I was out.

Just as he had described, there was not a single other person immediately visible around this part of the estate. The only sign of any security was the small, almost unassuming square building that looked like a guard’s quarters near the front gates, far from the main house. This isolation made the place seem almost eerie.

He turned around and started walking towards the massive front doors of the mansion, not calling out to me, not even glancing back to check if I was following. He didn’t exactly need to, though, because I found myself instinctively trailing behind him.

Just when I expected him to simply unlock the massive double doors and step inside, he placed his right hand flat against the smooth, dark surface of the ornate wood.

That’s when I heard a distinct mechanical voice, echoing from somewhere within the door itself. “Scanning initiated.” The male robotic voice spoke, the words precise and automated.

Then, a thin red line of light appeared at the top of the door, expanding downwards in a vertical scan, a sort of holographic effect I’d typically only ever seen in science fiction movies. The beam meticulously scanned both Sergei and me from head to toe.

“Scan complete. Welcome Mister Sergei Morozov and Miss Elena Kovalyova.‘ The robotic voice announced, the tone now sounding slightly more welcoming, though still distinctly artificial.

I was stunned, my mouth slightly agape. “How… how does it know my name?” I asked the stupidly obvious question, my gaze fixed on the door.

Sergei didn’t laugh at my naivety, though I could see a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. “I had your clearance added to my system long ago, Elena. You can come and go as you please, whenever you wish.”

I frowned slightly. “Oh. What happens if someone not in the system tries to get in?” I asked, another question that I immediately recognized as rather foolish.

Again, he didn’t laugh, simply offering a smirk. The massive double doors silently slid open on their own, revealing a breathtakingly grand foyer. We walked inside, and my brows shot upwards, my eyes automatically scaling the towering walls around me. Unlike what I had expected outward appearance of the place, the interior design wasn’t overtly traditional or dripping in the stereotypical royalty decor.

It was almost… artistic, in a dark, dramatic sort of way. Every wall seemed to have been painted by hand with intricate designs, the

colors rich and deep. The foyer itself featured a magnificent double staircase that swept upwards in a graceful curve, but in the very center of the expansive space, nestled between the two staircases, was an elevator, reminding me of Barbie’s Dreamhouse after its renovation.

The primary color theme seemed to be a striking combination of gold and crimson red, instantly bringing to mind the vibrant hues of those beautiful Chinese New Year festivals. Intricately painted lanterns adorned the walls around me. Four imposing corridors branched off from the foyer, leading to who knows where, the darkness within them impenetrable even when I squinted, straining my eyes. There were no visible lights in any of the corridors, adding to the almost mysterious atmosphere.

“Elena?” Sergei asked, startling me slightly.

“Yes. Sorry. What were you saying?” I asked, feeling a little foolish for getting so easily distracted. He seemed to be subtly amused by my reaction, a slight smile playing on his lips.

“I was answering your question about what happens if someone not in the system tries to enter, dochenka. The Al integrated into my security scanner is intelligent. It is programmed to… neutralize any person who is registered as a direct enemy.” He said the last part so casually, so matter–of–factly, that I went completely still, a chill tracing its way down my spine. “What… what about normal people then?”

He quirked his brows, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity. “Does this seem like the kind of place any normal person can simply stumble into, Elena? There are electrified walls surrounding the entire premises, the two main entrances are highly secured with multiple layers of technology. You perhaps didn’t notice in the car, but there’s also an undercarriage scanner when you enter the front gates, designed to detect any unauthorized vehicles, people or… devices.”

My brows shot up, my eyes widening as I looked at him incredulously. “So, the Al will just… shoot any unfamiliar cars coming onto your property?” I asked, the image of some innocent delivery driver being vaporized suddenly flashing in my mind. He chuckled softly, a low, dismissive sound. “I’m not a monster, Elena. Strangers are simply denied access, given a warning to leave the premises immediately.”

“I see,” I said slowly, my gaze narrowing as I squinted down the dimly lit southern left corridor, trying to make out any details in the

shadows.

“If you want to explore my humble abode, I’ll give you plenty of time for that later. Think of this place as your own home. You can come and go as you please. Right now, though, let’s go upstairs. After all,” he said, his voice regaining its earlier persuasive tone, “I need to fulfill my side of our little deal, don’t I?” He gestured towards the elevator, and I nodded slowly.

What was I even doing? I wasn’t here to play tourist. Stop getting distracted, Elena. This is not your home, and he is not your family.

As we stepped into the spacious elevator, its polished gold interior reflecting our images, Sergèi pressed one of the smooth, unnumbered buttons on the control panel. That’s right. The buttons had no numbers, only a series of intricate symbols etched into their surface. Different flower symbols, like something out of a fairytale – lotuses, roses, tulips, lilies, and several others I couldn’t immediately identify.

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