Chapter 3 - the visitor in the foyer
By 6:00 PM, a cold rain had begun to fall over the estate, hammering against the high slate roofs.
Damon sat in his study, the velvet box resting on the mahogany desk before him. He had spent two hours inspecting the secret wall compartment. There were no wires, no speakers, and no mechanical triggers. It was a simple mechanical latch built into the estate's original 1920s stonework.
A knock sounded at the double doors. Marcus stepped inside, looking unusually tense.
"Boss. Your sister-in-law is downstairs," Marcus reported smoothly. "She says she’s here to collect the quarterly trust paperwork."
Damon’s jaw set like iron. Evelyn Ashford—the thirty-eight-year-old sister of his late wife, Elena—was a glamorous, calculating woman who had spent four years trying to gain control of Elena's multi-million-dollar family trust.
"Show her into the drawing room," Damon ordered, placing the sapphire ring into his pocket and standing up.
In the grand foyer below, Evelyn stood near the marble fireplace, wearing a luxurious ivory trench coat and high heels. She held a designer leather portfolio, her styled blonde hair catching the light of the crystal chandeliers.
As Naomi walked past carrying a tray of fresh tea, Evelyn stepped directly into her path, looking down her nose at the maid's simple uniform.
"Careful with that tray, girl," Evelyn sneered softly, her voice dripping with condescension. "This estate isn't a daycare for servant children."
Naomi lowered her eyes respectfully, keeping her posture neat and cautious. "Yes, Ms. Ashford. Excuse me."
"Wait," Evelyn commanded, her eyes narrowing as she noticed small three-year-old Zuri sitting on the bottom step of the grand staircase, coloring in a book. Evelyn’s gaze dropped to a small silver bracelet on Zuri's tiny wrist.
Evelyn reached out, her manicured fingers grabbing Zuri's wrist with sudden, forceful strength. "Where did you get this bracelet?!"
Zuri let out a sharp cry of surprise, dropping her crayon onto the marble floor.
Naomi instantly set the tea tray onto a side table, stepping between Evelyn and her daughter with fierce, protective motherly instinct. "Don't touch my child!"
"This is my sister's silver baby bracelet!" Evelyn hissed, her eyes wild with rage as she glared at Naomi. "You stole this from Elena's room!"
"I didn't steal anything!" Naomi argued, her voice trembling with emotion. "Zuri found it in the garden this morning!"
"What is going on here?" Damon’s deep, thunderous voice cut through the foyer.
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Damon descended the marble stairs, his broad frame casting a long shadow across the floorboards. His intense eyes were locked onto Evelyn's hand, which was still hovering near Zuri's small arm.
Evelyn spun around, forcing a smooth, sympathetic smile. "Damon! Thank goodness. I just caught your maid’s daughter wearing Elena’s personal silver bracelet! They are looting this house right under your nose!"
