Alexander's aide returned three days later, kneeling in the study.

"My Lord, the Sterling household underwent a significant upheaval two months ago. Lady Sterling was confined to her bed. Lord Sterling dismissed all the house servants and replaced them. And…"

He hesitated.

"Speak."

"The young mistress, Lady Amelia, has not been seen by anyone outside the family since. The neighboring households report hearing screams late at night for over a week. Then silence."

Alexander's expression didn't change. But I saw his knuckles whiten around the armrest.

"And the pear tree in their garden?"

The aide looked puzzled. "Freshly turned earth beneath it, my Lord. As if something had been recently buried."

Alexander stood. Slowly. The way a predator rises before it strikes.

"Prepare my horse. And summon Captain Wei with twenty of my men."

"My Lord, may I ask—"

"My wife made pear blossom cakes. The woman sleeping in my bed does not know what pear blossoms are."

He strode toward the door, then paused.

"One more thing. Have the magistrate meet me at the Sterling estate. With a warrant to exhume."

My ghostly form trembled. He knew. Not everything—but enough.

Alexander walked past Victoria's room without stopping. She called out, "My Lord, dinner is—"

The front gate slammed.