Chapter 5 - Whispers in the Dark
The next few days were a psychological torment for Elena. She wanted to run, to take Mateo and return to their cramped apartment where they were safe. But seeing Mateo running through the gardens, breathing easily without the constant rattle in his chest, broke her heart. She couldn't rob him of his health.
She decided she needed proof to protect herself. Late at night, ensuring the security cameras in the west wing were on their routine five-minute maintenance blind spot, she slipped back into the library. She needed to copy the Swiss medical records.
As she unlocked the hidden drawer where she had concealed the ledger, she heard muffled voices coming from the adjoining study. It was Arthur, speaking on a secure satellite phone.
"I don't care what it takes, Vance," Arthur was saying, his voice laced with venom. "The girl has the locket. She looks exactly like the old photos of Eleanor's sister. If Julian finds out he has biological family left, he’ll rewrite the trust. The housekeeper and her kid will get the lion's share of the estate."
There was a pause as the person on the other end spoke.
"No, we don't touch the kid directly," Arthur snapped. "Too messy. We target her credibility. I’ve paid off the nanny we fired. She’s going to file a police report claiming Elena intentionally staged Lily’s asthma attack by contaminating her food with peanut dust just to play the hero and get the job. Once Elena is arrested for child endangerment, Julian will throw her out himself."
Elena gasped, accidentally knocking a heavy silver paperweight off the desk. It hit the hardwood floor with a loud thud.
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The voices in the study stopped instantly. "Who's there?" Arthur shouted.
Elena didn't think. She grabbed the ledger, shoved it into her sweater, and bolted through the servant’s exit just as the study door flew open.
