Chapter 6 - the hidden ledger
Victor unlocked the heavy master suite doors and pressed the hidden release button behind the bookshelf. The steel door slid open, revealing Clara holding Rosie in her arms, both of them safe and unharmed.
"Victor!" Clara cried out, setting Rosie down and rushing into his arms.
Victor wrapped his powerful arms around Clara, holding her close against his chest as she rested her head against his white dress shirt. "It's over, Clara. Julian Marsh and Celeste are gone. They will never harm you or Rosie again."
Clara looked up into his handsome face, tears of relief shining in her soft brown eyes. "I heard what he said through the vent... about my father."
Victor reached out, gently wiping a tear from her cheek. "Your father was an honorable man, Clara. He died trying to protect you and your future."
Rosie walked over, tugging softly on Victor's trousers. "Daddy... can Mommy Clara stay with us forever now?"
Victor leaned down, scooping Rosie up in one arm while keeping his other arm around Clara’s waist. A rare, beautiful smile lit up his rugged face. "Yes, sweetheart. Mommy Clara is never leaving us again."
Three days later, the rain cleared over the Bellandi estate, replaced by a brilliant golden sunrise.
Clara moved out of the staff quarters and into the lavish master guest suite on the second floor. She was no longer wearing her maid uniform; instead, she wore a stunning white cashmere sweater and dark trousers, looking radiant and refined.
At 10:00 AM, Victor called Clara into his private library.
Sitting on his mahogany desk was an old, rusted iron box wrapped in heavy chains.
"What is that, Victor?" Clara asked, stepping into the room.
"When our team cleared out Julian Marsh's private estate in Long Island yesterday," Victor explained, taking a silver blowtorch from his drawer, "they found this hidden inside the floorboards of his private study. It belonged to your father."
Victor melted through the iron lock, popping the chain open. He lifted the heavy metal lid.
Inside the box lay an old leather-bound journal, a gold pocket watch with Arthur Bennett's initials, and a small, key-shaped brass pendant.
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Clara picked up the pocket watch, pressing it against her heart as tears filled her eyes. "This was my father's... he wore it every day."
Victor picked up the brass pendant, examining the intricate teeth carved along its edge. "This isn't a necklace, Clara. This is a key to a private safety deposit vault in Geneva, Switzerland."
