Chapter 3: Shadows in the Mansion
The Vance Estate sat atop a sprawling hill in Lake Forest, a monument of limestone and cold perfection. For a decade, it had been a mausoleum of silence.
When Arthur walked through the front doors carrying Mia, the household staff gasped. Standing at the top of the grand staircase was Julian Vance, Arthur’s ambitious nephew and current vice president of Vance Enterprises.
"Uncle?" Julian scoffed, adjusting his cuffs. "What is this? Are we running a charity clinic now?"
"Show some respect, Julian," Arthur snapped with cold authority. "These are Clara’s children."
Julian’s face turned white, his smug expression crumbling into sheer panic. For seven years, Julian had positioned himself as the sole heir to Arthur’s multi-billion-dollar empire, convinced Clara was gone forever without leaving a trace.
"Clara?" Julian stammered, recovering his mask. "Uncle, you can't be serious. Any street urchin could pick up a lost photo."
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Arthur stepped past him without another word. "Prepare the east wing suites. Now."
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