Chapter 6 - The Vault Beneath the House
The old key sat on the table.
Nobody touched it.
Nobody spoke.
Because everyone understood one thing.
That key was not supposed to exist.
Arthur stared at Eleanor.
“Where did you get this?”
Eleanor’s lips trembled.
“I found it.”
“Where?”
She looked away.
And that answer was enough.
Arthur’s expression hardened.
“Eleanor.”
“Where did you find it?”
Before she could answer…
Julian interrupted.
“Don’t waste your time.”
Everyone looked at him.
Julian stepped closer.
“That key opens the vault under the Blackwood estate.”
Elara frowned.
“The vault?”
Julian nodded.
“Your father built it years ago.”
“Only three people knew about it.”
Arthur swallowed.
“Who?”
Julian looked around the room.
“Your father.”
“You.”
“And the person who helped him hide his biggest secret.”
Victoria’s eyes narrowed.
“Someone inside this family.”
Eleanor immediately shook her head.
“No.”
“You’re all wrong.”
But her voice lacked confidence.
Arthur looked at her with pain.
“Then prove it.”
A few hours later…
Everyone stood inside the underground vault.
The heavy steel door slowly opened.
The air inside was cold.
Dust covered the shelves.
Old documents filled the room.
And in the center…
Was a locked wooden box.
Elara stepped closer.
“My father’s handwriting.”
On the box was a message.
For Elara. Open only when the truth is finally revealed.
Her hands shook as she opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
Everyone froze.
Because the picture showed Julian…
Standing beside Elara’s father.
But the date on the back was impossible.
It was taken the night before his death.
Julian whispered:
“That’s not possible.”
Elara looked at him.
“Then explain why you were there.”
Julian had no answer.
Then another piece of paper fell from the box.
A single sentence was written on it.
The person who killed me is closer to Elara than anyone knows.
Everyone slowly turned.
May you like
And the person standing behind them…
Locked the vault door.
