Chapter 5 - The Attorney's Gambit
Megan sat frozen in the velvet armchair, tears spilling over her lashes as the secret she had kept buried for four years was laid bare.
"Yes..." Megan whispered, her voice cracking with pure emotion. "My sister was Clara's assistant. Her name was Hannah."
Sadie looked up at her mother, reaching out with her tiny hand to wipe a tear from Megan's cheek. "Don't cry, Mommy."
Megan pulled Sadie tighter into her arms, looking up at Roman with desperate, pleading eyes. "Mr. Vale, I swear to you on my daughter's life, I didn't come to this estate to spy on you or steal from your family. When Hannah disappeared twelve years ago alongside your sister, she left a sealed envelope with our mother. She told us that if anything ever happened to her, we were supposed to find the Vale family and give them the key."
"Where is the key's lockbox, Megan?" Roman asked, his voice low and serious.
"I didn't know!" Megan wept. "I didn't even know what the key looked like until Sadie brought it out from under the table today! I hid in this house as a maid because after my husband died, strange men started watching my apartment. I knew your estate was the only place in New York where nobody could touch us!"
Roman stared at the young mother, his dark eyes reflecting a deep, protective instinct. He realized in an instant that Megan wasn't a traitor—she was a survivor who had brought her child into the heart of his fortress for protection.
Before Roman could answer, Marco stepped back into the study, holding an encrypted digital tablet.
"Boss," Marco reported, his tone grim. "We searched Pierce's private vehicle in the garage. We found a hidden compartment beneath the spare tire."
"What was inside?" Roman asked.
"A satellite transmitter, three forged passports, and a high-frequency audio bugging system," Marco said, setting the tablet on the desk. "Pierce wasn't just stealing your father's ledger, Roman. He’s been transmitting internal syndicate intelligence to a private offshore buyer in Geneva for the past six months."
Roman stood up slowly, his towering frame radiating a cold, terrifying authority. "Where is Pierce now?"
"We have him secured in the lower holding cell beneath the wine cellar," Marco answered. "He’s demanding to speak with you. He says he has a message from the buyer."
Roman looked down at Megan and Sadie. He stepped around the desk and knelt in front of the little girl once more.
"Sadie," Roman said softly, a faint, rare smile touching his rugged face. "You did a very brave thing today."
Sadie held up her blue crayon. "Can I draw more pictures in the big room?"
Roman reached out, gently patting her head. "You can draw wherever you want in this house, little one."
May you like
He looked up at Megan. "Marco will take you both to the master suite on the third floor. You will be completely safe there."
Roman stood up, his dark eyes hardening as he turned toward the door. "Marco, let's go hear what my attorney has to say."
