Chapter 4: The Shadow in the Garden**
A figure stepped through the balcony curtains, drenched in shadow and mist.
Clara gasped, reaching for a heavy brass letter opener on the desk, but the man raised both hands in a placating gesture.
"Don't scream, Clara. It’s Marcus," a low voice said.
Marcus Vance was the youngest of the three Vance siblings—the estranged artist who had walked away from the family business five years ago. Unlike Richard’s slick corporate charm, Marcus wore a weathered denim jacket over his tuxedo shirt, his dark hair falling messy across his forehead.
"Marcus?" Clara breathed, lowering the letter opener. "Did you find Julian? Is he outside?"
Marcus walked over, his expression grim. "Julian’s car was found abandoned on Route 9, ten miles north of the estate. His tires were shredded by spike strips."
Clara’s breath hitched. "What? Is he hurt?"
"He’s alive, but his phone was smashed. He walked three miles to a service station and used a payphone to reach my burner," Marcus explained rapidly, pulling a folded slip of paper from his pocket. "He told me they were going to frame you tonight. He told me to get you out before the county sheriff arrives."
"Why?" Clara asked, tears blurring her vision. "Why would Eleanor and Richard do this to me? I never wanted their money. I only wanted Julian."
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"Because of the will," Marcus said grimly. "My father’s original will doesn't leave the estate to Richard. It leaves everything to Julian’s firstborn child."
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