Chapter 3 - The Shadow on the Wall
The next morning, the mansion was shrouded in a thick coastal fog that pressed against the high leaded-glass windows. Victor sat at his desk in the private study, reviewing security footage from the east wing terrace. Beside him stood Marco, his most trusted security chief.
On the screen, a shadowy figure in a dark coat approached Bridget’s former terrace door at 2:15 AM—just hours before Victor had found her in the hallway. The figure pulled a lockpick tool set from his pocket and began working on the brass latch.
“He’s using professional gear, boss,” Marco noted, pointing at the monitor screen. “That’s not a common thief. That’s an insider who knows the patrol rotations.”
Victor’s eyes narrowed into slits of ice. “Trace the security clearance on the north gate during that window.”
“Already did,” Marco replied grimly. “It was logged under Julian’s personal bypass key.”
Victor closed the laptop screen with a sharp snap. Julian was trying to kidnap Bridget to use her as leverage against Victor’s hold on the estate’s board votes. Bridget was the sole heir to the Vance shipping empire, and her late father had appointed Victor as her sole legal guardian until her twenty-fifth birthday.
Downstairs, Bridget sat in the conservatory, holding a cup of tea with both hands. The warmth of the ceramic couldn't chase away the chill that seemed to linger in her bones. The double doors swung open, and Julian stepped into the room, wearing a tailored gray suit and a slick, deceptive smile.
“Good morning, my dear,” Julian said smoothly, stepping toward her table. “I noticed your room in the east wing was empty this morning. The maids were quite confused.”
Bridget set her teacup down, her hands trembling. “I moved my things, Julian.”
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Julian’s smile faltered slightly, his eyes flashing with irritation. “Moved them? Where?”
“She moved them into my quarters,” Victor’s deep voice echoed from the doorway. He walked into the conservatory, his eyes locked onto his uncle with lethal intent. “And she won't be returning to the east wing.”
