Chapter 4 - The Broken Seal
At two o'clock in the morning, a sudden flash of lightning illuminated the grand study of Caruso Manor, followed by a deafening clap of thunder that rattled the leaded glass windows.
Down in the west wing guest suite, Emma woke up quietly. She slipped out from under her blanket, her shiny black Mary Jane shoes making soft sounds against the rug as she walked to the door. She pushed it open, peeking into the dimly lit hallway.
In the archive corridor near the central library, a dark figure moved stealthily through the shadows, carrying a high-tech electronic bypass device.
The figure stopped outside the private vault door where the Caruso family's historical ledgers and personal deeds were stored.
Emma walked softly down the hallway, curiosity overpowering her fear. She rounded the corner near the library and saw the tall man in the charcoal suit working on the digital lock panel.
It was Richard Vale.
He pressed a specialized override chip against the scanner, and the heavy brass lock disengaged with a quiet pneumatic click. He pulled the steel door open and reached inside, pulling out an ancient, dust-covered leather volume stamped with the Caruso coat of arms.
"That doesn't belong to you," a small voice echoed down the corridor.
Richard spun around, his eyes widening in shock as he saw six-year-old Emma standing fifteen feet away in her cream tweed outfit, her hands tucked into her jacket pockets, her expressive eyes looking at him with calm defiance.
"You little brat..." Richard hissed, stepping toward her, his face twisting into a terrifying scowl. "You should have stayed in the servants' quarters."
Before Richard could take three steps, a shadow moved from the balcony above with blinding speed.
Vincent Caruso dropped down from the upper landing, landing heavily between Richard and the child. In a single fluid motion, Vincent grabbed Richard by his throat, slamming him violently against the marble wall, while Marco stepped out from the library doorway, sidearm drawn and aimed straight at the associate's chest.
"Touch the child, Richard, and you die right here," Vincent growled, his voice vibrating with absolute, terrifying fury.
Rachel rushed down the hallway, breathless with terror, and pulled Emma back into her arms, holding her child tightly against her navy dress.
Richard gasped for air, his briefcase dropping to the floor, spilling dozens of forged asset transfer deeds across the marble.
May you like
Vincent tightened his grip on Richard's throat, his piercing blue eyes fixed on the stolen leather volume.
"You weren't looking for logistics money, were you, Richard?" Vincent whispered coldly. "You were looking for my sister's birth certificate."
