Chapter 4 - The Threat of the Hidden Heir
Elena closed the ledger, her hands trembling. She realized the danger she was in. If the Castellane empire—worth billions—had a hidden bloodline, her and Mateo's sudden presence in the house would look like a calculated infiltration to the rest of the cutthroat family.
Her fears were realized the following evening during a formal dinner party hosted at the estate. Julian had invited his adoptive younger brother, Arthur Castellane, who managed the European division of the family firm. Arthur was a sharp-featured, cynical man who carried himself with a permanent sneer.
When Arthur saw Elena serving drinks alongside the catering staff, his eyes narrowed. "So, this is the miracle worker Julian won't stop praising," Arthur said, stepping into Elena’s path as she tried to pass with a tray.
"Just doing my job, sir," Elena said smoothly, keeping her head down.
Arthur reached out, his fingers brushing against the neckline of her blouse as he mockingly adjusted her collar. His eyes caught the glint of the silver lotus locket she had forgotten to tuck away deeply enough. Arthur’s face went dead pale. He gripped her wrist tightly.
"Where did you get that?" Arthur hissed, his voice a lethal whisper.
"It was my mother's," Elena said, pulling her wrist away, terror spiking in her chest.
Arthur stared at her, his mind visibly working through the implications. Unlike Julian, who had been too young to know the family secrets, Arthur had spent his entire life auditing the family's old private ledgers to secure his own position as the sole heir to the Castellane fortune. He knew exactly what that locket meant.
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"You don't belong here, housemaid," Arthur said, leaning in close. "You and your sickly little bastard boy need to pack your bags and disappear. If you don't, I will make sure the medical board reviews your 'heroic' use of that EpiPen, and I’ll ensure your son loses access to every doctor in this state."
Elena backed away, horrified. She realized Arthur wouldn't just stop at threats; he saw her and Mateo as an existential threat to his inheritance.
