Chapter 7 - The Locked Room at Castell Verde|
The room was hidden behind a panel in the estate's old west library.
Vivien had known about the panel since childhood. Her mother used to tell her that the house had more doors than walls, and that the wisest person in any room was the one who knew which doors were real.
The brass key turned smoothly.
Inside, the air smelled of dust and old paper. A narrow desk stood beneath a covered window, and a wall of shelves held ledgers dating back more than a century.
Gabriel followed her inside.
"This is where Mother kept the original trust documents," he said.
Vivien opened the top drawer.
Empty.
The second drawer contained a photograph of their parents standing beside a younger Helena Vale.
The third held a sealed envelope.
Vivien broke the seal.
My children,
If you have found this room, then the family has reached the point I feared. Someone has confused the authority of the Donna with ownership of the necklace.
The necklace is a symbol. The trust is the foundation. But neither can protect the family if the people holding them are unwilling to face the truth.
Your father believed Helena could be trusted. I believed him because I loved him. That mistake cost us more than either of you knows.
The letter ended with a reference to a ledger kept outside the estate.
Gabriel searched the shelves.
"There's nothing else."
Vivien examined the photograph again.
Her mother stood with one hand resting on Helena's shoulder. Their expressions were calm, but something about the image unsettled her.
She turned it over.
A handwritten note appeared beneath the date.
The first Donna was never the first.
Vivien read the sentence aloud.
Gabriel frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Before she could answer, footsteps sounded in the corridor.
Someone had entered the library.
Gabriel closed the hidden panel just as Thomas Bell appeared at the far end of the room.
"Vivien," he called. "We need to talk."
She stepped into the open library.
"Then talk."
Thomas held up a document.
"Damian has authorized a new legal structure. It will preserve the syndicate's businesses while removing the old council's veto rights."
"That sounds like a hostile takeover."
"It is a necessary modernization."
"Who benefits?"
"The people willing to accept change."
Vivien studied him.
"You have been handling my family's legal affairs for twenty years. You know the trust cannot be altered without my signature."
Thomas smiled.
"That is why I need you to sign."
He placed the document on the table.
Vivien did not touch it.
"And if I refuse?"
"Then Damian will have no choice but to challenge your authority publicly."
"He already did that."
Thomas's smile disappeared.
"This time, the consequences will be different."
He turned toward the exit.
Then he stopped.
"One more thing. Your mother was not the only person who disappeared from this family."
Vivien's blood chilled.
Thomas looked back at her.
"Ask Gabriel what happened the night your father died."
Then he left.
Gabriel stood motionless behind the panel.
Vivien turned toward him.
"Tell me the truth."
May you like
He lowered his eyes.
"I was there."
