Chapter 4 - the forged dynasty
Inside the dim vault, air hissed softly through the ventilation grates. Dominic didn't panic. He calmly adjusted his dark shirt cuffs, pulling a small titanium military wedge tool from his tuxedo pocket.
"Marcus," Dominic called out to his head guard. "Set the breaching charge on the upper hinge."
"Already on it, Boss," Marcus replied, placing a small round explosive charge against the steel frame.
Within ten seconds, a controlled, suppressed blast blew the top hinge off the door frame. Dominic stepped forward, placing his broad shoulder against the heavy steel panel and shoving it outward with immense physical force.
The vault door crashed onto the corridor floor with a thunderous boom.
Dominic walked out into the dusty corridor, holding the original parchment charter tucked safely inside his tuxedo jacket. Claire followed closely behind, holding his arm as they rushed back toward the upper levels.
As they reached the grand central foyer on the ground floor, they were met by a stunning sight.
Standing in the center of the foyer under the warm holiday chandeliers were twelve elder representatives of the regional syndicate council, dressed in dark formal coats. Beside them stood Vivienne, wearing a fresh emerald gown, clutching a stack of legal transfer papers.
"Elders!" Vivienne announced loudly, pointing a trembling finger at Dominic and Claire. "Dominic has gone rogue! He broke into the private family archives and physically assaulted me in front of the gala guests!"
The chief elder, a white-haired man named Don Corrado, stepped forward, his expression grave. "Dominic... these are serious allegations. The council requires an explanation."
Dominic stepped into the center of the room, his tall, broad frame completely dominating the foyer. He reached into his tuxedo jacket and pulled out the ancient parchment charter, holding it high for all the elders to see.
"This is the original land grant charter signed by Lorenzo Serrano and Eleanor Bennett," Dominic declared, his voice echoing off the high ceilings. "This estate was never sold to the Serrano family. It was held in trust for Eleanor's daughter, Claire."
Don Corrado took the parchment, inspecting the wax seal and signatures with a magnifying glass. His sharp eyes widened in shock.
"This signature... it bears the official raised seal of the syndicate founder," Don Corrado gasped, looking up at Vivienne with cold disapproval.
Vivienne’s eyes flashed with panic. "That document is a fake! Lorenzo Serrano bought this property fair and square after Eleanor fled the country!"
"Eleanor didn't flee the country, Vivienne," a quiet, clear voice called out from the grand entrance gates.
Everyone spun around.
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A tall, elegant older woman dressed in a dark wool coat walked through the front doors, supported by a polished silver cane. Her fair skin and striking brown eyes were the exact double of Claire's face.
Claire gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "Mother?"
