Fatal Stage

Chapter 1

[1]

"Miss, it's time to leave."

Early in the morning, Jerald's secretary took out a black cloth and blindfolded me. Under his guidance, I entered the private car of the Yin Group, feeling a mix of anticipation and nerves as we drove toward Jerald's family estate.

The journey was silent, with the car filled with the scent of jasmine perfume. It was a long drive, several hours, and I didn't dare to fall asleep.

This mission was assigned to me because of my dance skills, good looks, and ability to remain calm under pressure. Having just graduated from the police academy, I was eager to prove myself.

The police were taking this operation very seriously. They gave me a new identity to protect my cover. Now, my name was Chelsey, and I was supposedly from Japan. However, my real name was Cathleen, and I came from a small town in Fujian, where I excelled at playing the violin.

The Yin Group was one of the wealthiest companies in the world, with interests in various industries. Jerald, the chairman, had built his empire from scratch. He married at twenty-five and was now thirty, with his wealth increasing significantly since then.

Surrounded by many women, Jerald never got involved with any of them. He had two great loves in his life: his wife, Harlee, and his private troupe of performers.

The troupe consisted of five young women, each chosen for their exceptional talent in singing and dancing. Jerald personally selected them, and they lived at his estate, performing just for him. These women were all orphans, bought out of their previous lives by Jerald, only to mysteriously disappear or die soon after joining the troupe.

Rumors abounded-some said these women were punished for their vanity, others whispered about the sinister forces at play within the Yin family. But despite the risks, the opportunity to escape poverty and find a place in such a prestigious household ensured a steady stream of willing recruits.

### [2]

"Miss, you can get out of the car now."

Jerald's assistant gently took my hand as I stepped out of the car. Inside the mansion, he removed the blindfold. It was now late at night, and the sky was gleaming with stars.

The Yin family's mansion was a beautiful, sprawling estate called Shenling Villa, named in honor of Jerald's beloved wife, Harlee. With its charming bridges, flowing streams, pavilions, and towers, it was like stepping into a fairy tale, especially with lanterns casting a soft glow along the river.

We passed through several picturesque courtyards until we reached the inner one, where four women in traditional attire were performing a mesmerizing dance. They warmly greeted me as I arrived.

"You're the new girl, right?" they asked with friendly smiles.

They quickly recounted how wonderful life at the estate was - the best food, luxurious amenities, and a life filled with music and dance. They spoke excitedly of recreational activities and their substantial earnings, which surpassed anything they had known before.

Each of the four women had their specialties:

- The eldest, Lu Ruanruan, 26, played the violin beautifully.

- The second sister, Cheng Yuanyuan, 25, was a master of the cello.

- The third sister, Su Qinqin, 24, excelled at the flute.

- The youngest, Wu Fangfang, 23, was skilled with the viola.

Though aware of the dangers associated with the troupe, they felt the benefits outweighed the risks. The allure of wealth was too strong to resist.

We each had our own elegant quarters in the mansion. My room, on the west side, was opulently decorated with a plaque reading "Ancient Elegance." As I lay in my intricately carved bed that night, I heard haunting melodies floating from the garden, said to be the voices of the previous performers.

I first met Jerald in this garden. Tall, handsome, with sad eyes, Jerald returned home once a month. When he did, we donned traditional costumes and performed under a grand osmanthus tree. Jerald would relax with some tea, often drifting into a peaceful sleep to the sound of our music.

It became clear that Jerald didn't truly care for the performances. So why did he invest so heavily in the troupe? Was it a facade, or something more complex?

"Have you seen Mr. Yin's wife, Harlee, since you've been here?" I asked the four sisters during a dinner.

They all shook their heads, signaling that the topic was forbidden and urging me not to mention Harlee again. It was as if her presence, or absence, was a closely guarded secret.