Part 2: Warning Signs

Chapter 2 really digs into the class warfare that makes Ashwick so toxic and fascinating. Alexander’s “maid” comment isn’t just casual cruelty—it’s a power play designed to put Isabella in her place and test how she’ll react. What he doesn’t know is that she’s actually wealthier than he is, which makes his condescension even more ironic. The mysterious notes are escalating too, and I love how they’re creating this undercurrent of paranoia beneath all the social drama. Isabella’s walking a tightrope between maintaining her cover and defending her dignity, and that tension is only going to get worse as more people start paying attention to her.