Transferred to another life

Chapter Forty-Eight: Unseen Moves*

***

After breakfast, the tension that had hung over the meal followed Olivia like a shadow. The accusations, the family's unease, Matthew's burning suspicion—it was all coming to a head, and Olivia knew she had little time left before things spiraled completely out of control. But she had one advantage: Aunt Beatrice was still firmly in her grasp.

Olivia retreated to her study, the heavy wooden door shutting behind her with a satisfying thud. She sat at her desk, fingers lightly brushing the surface, her mind racing. The potion had worked perfectly on Aunt Beatrice, bending her will and planting the seed of loyalty. But it was clear from the family's growing suspicion that Beatrice's sudden change was raising eyebrows.

*I have to be more careful,* Olivia thought. The suggestion potion had been effective, but now it was time to weave a more subtle web. Matthew was too close, and his accusations were becoming bolder. There was no denying it—he knew something. How, Olivia still couldn't piece together, but it was only a matter of time before he made his move. She had to strike first.

The alchemy set behind the fireplace called to her. If she was going to outmaneuver Matthew, she needed something more than subtle manipulation. She needed something that would break the family's trust in him completely—something that would paint him as the real threat.

### **A Dangerous Plan**

Olivia opened the hidden compartment once more, the scent of herbs and chemicals wafting up as she carefully selected her ingredients. Her hands moved with practiced precision, and as the mixture bubbled before her, she felt a surge of confidence. This new brew wasn't just a suggestion potion—it was something stronger, something that would cloud Matthew's mind and make him act erratically.

But it was risky. The potion was volatile, and if she made even a slight mistake, the consequences could be disastrous. Still, the reward outweighed the risk. If she could make Matthew appear unhinged in front of the family, his credibility would shatter.

As she stirred the concoction, Olivia thought back to Matthew's words at breakfast. He had spoken with such certainty about dark magic, as if he had knowledge beyond what was possible. The original Olivia's secrets should have died with her—yet Matthew was speaking as if he had seen them firsthand.

*Could he have discovered her old journal?* The thought chilled Olivia. There were rumors, of course, of the original Olivia's experiments in dark magic, but nothing had ever been proven. If Matthew had found something—anything that could confirm his suspicions—then Olivia's carefully constructed façade would crumble.

The potion hissed, pulling Olivia from her thoughts. She bottled the liquid, her heart racing. She needed to use this carefully. One wrong move, and the plan could backfire. But if it worked, Matthew would be seen as the one dabbling in dangerous forces, not her.

### **The Encounter**

Later that day, Olivia found herself in the hall outside of Matthew's chambers. The manor was quiet, the family dispersed throughout the house, but Olivia knew she had little time. She knocked lightly, knowing full well that Matthew wouldn't expect a visit from her.

"Come in," his voice came from the other side, cool and collected, though laced with a hint of suspicion.

Olivia entered, her expression carefully neutral. Matthew stood by the window, his back to her, looking out over the sprawling estate. The room was dim, the heavy curtains casting long shadows across the floor.

"Matthew," Olivia said softly, her tone full of concern, "I came to see how you're feeling."

He turned to face her, his eyes sharp and calculating. "How considerate of you, Olivia. After all, you've done so much to ensure my well-being lately."