Chapter 61 - Answer the rumors
Sarah and Kendra stood at the entrance of Shane David's mansion, their eyes widening at the opulence that surrounded them. The marble floors gleamed under crystal chandeliers, and intricate tapestries adorned the walls. A servant in a crisply pressed uniform approached them with a courteous smile.
"Welcome, ladies," the servant said in a soft, refined voice. "Please follow me. Miss Giselle will be with you shortly."
They followed the servant down a corridor lined with portraits of distinguished-looking individuals in elaborate frames. The air carried a faint scent of fresh flowers mixed with a hint of polish. Sarah couldn't help but exchange a glance with Kendra, both marveling at the grandeur around them.
Finally, they were ushered into a spacious meeting room furnished with plush chairs and a mahogany table that gleamed with a polished sheen. The servant gestured for them to make themselves comfortable and informed them that Miss Giselle would be informed of their arrival.
As soon as the servant left, Sarah let out a sigh. "Well, at least we know Giselle's okay if they're calling her. But I still can't believe this place. It's like something out of a movie."
Kendra nodded, her eyes scanning the room. "Yeah, Shane David must be loaded. I wonder what he does exactly."
Before Sarah could reply, the door swung open, and in walked Giselle, her smile radiant as ever. She was dressed in a simple yet elegant blouse and skirt, her dark hair falling neatly around her shoulders.
"Sarah! Kendra!" Giselle greeted warmly, crossing the room to embrace them each in turn. "What a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to see you both until next week for the interview."
Sarah returned the hug, feeling relieved to see Giselle looking well. "We... we heard some gossip," she began tentatively, glancing at Kendra who nodded in agreement.
Giselle raised an eyebrow curiously. "Gossip? About me?"
Kendra cleared her throat, her expression serious. "Yeah, there were rumors going around that... well, we heard you might have been in some kind of trouble."
Giselle's smile faltered slightly, and she exchanged a quick look with Sarah and Kendra. "Trouble? Oh, I see." She sighed softly, her demeanor shifting to a more contemplative tone. "I suppose rumors travel fast, don't they?"
Sarah nodded, feeling a pang of guilt for bringing it up. "We just wanted to make sure you're okay, Giselle. It's good to see you looking... well, like yourself."
Giselle's smile returned, albeit a touch wistfully. "Thank you, Sarah. I appreciate your concern." She gestured for them to take seats around the table. "Please, tell me why you've come today. Is it about the interview or something else?"
Kendra glanced at Sarah, silently urging her to explain. Sarah took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "Well, we wanted to talk to you because... because we heard those rumors, and we were worried. But also, we... we wanted to ask about Shane David."
Giselle's brow furrowed slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Shane David? What about him?"
Sarah hesitated, unsure how to broach the topic delicately. "We've heard things... about his lifestyle, his parties, his... connections. Is he... involved in something dangerous?"
Giselle chuckled softly, surprising them both. "Oh, no, nothing like that. Shane David is... well, he's a bit of a mystery, but he's not involved in anything illegal, if that's what you're worried about." She leaned back in her chair, folding her hands on the table. "He's actually quite a successful entrepreneur. His parties and gatherings are more about networking and socializing than anything else."
Kendra raised an eyebrow skeptically. "But what about all the rumors? People say he's... into some pretty shady stuff."
Giselle shrugged lightly. "Rumors tend to exaggerate things, especially when it comes to wealthy and influential people like Shane. I've known him for a while now, and he's always been kind and supportive of my work."
Sarah nodded slowly, absorbing Giselle's words. "So, you're saying he's just misunderstood?"
"In a way, yes," Giselle replied thoughtfully. "He values privacy, and that can sometimes lead to speculation. But I assure you, he's not someone to be afraid of."
Kendra seemed unconvinced, but Sarah appeared to be considering Giselle's perspective. "Okay, but what about you, Giselle? Are you... are you really okay?"
Giselle smiled reassuringly. "I am, Sarah. Thank you for asking. The rumors might make things seem dramatic, but I assure you, I'm perfectly fine."
They fell into a thoughtful silence, each contemplating the conversation. Finally, Kendra spoke up again, her tone softer. "We're sorry if we seemed nosy, Giselle. We just... we care about you."
Giselle reached across the table, squeezing Kendra's hand gently. "I know, and I appreciate that more than you know."
Sarah smiled gratefully, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "So, about the interview next week..."
Giselle chuckled warmly, her eyes twinkling. "Yes, let's talk about that. I have some exciting plans for the project, and I think both of you will be intrigued."
Sarah and Kendra exchanged a hesitant glance as they sat across from Giselle in the elegantly appointed meeting room of Shane David's mansion. The conversation had flowed smoothly, filled with plans and laughter, but now an uneasy tension hung in the air.
"S-Sarah, should we... ask her?" Kendra whispered nervously, her eyes flickering to Giselle, who was sipping delicately from her tea.
Sarah took a deep breath, steeling herself. "I think we have to. We've heard so much, and... we need to know."
Giselle set down her cup, her brow furrowing slightly at their sudden seriousness. "Ask me what, exactly?"
Sarah hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is it true... about Shane David? Is he really a... a werewolf?"
Giselle's eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, she seemed taken aback. "Who told you that?" Her tone was sharp, a mix of concern and disbelief.
Kendra shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Well, we've heard rumors, and... people talk. They say he's... different."
Giselle took a moment to compose herself, her expression softening as she regarded Sarah and Kendra with a mixture of empathy and caution. "I understand why you might ask…”