Chapter 4: The Missing Heir
The heavy oak door of the library clicked softly as the head of security entered, holding a secure tablet computer in his gloved hands. He nodded respectfully to Arthur before stepping closer to the firelight.
"Sir, we’ve recovered the deleted CCTV footage from the western corridor leading to the ballroom," the security chief reported, his voice steady and low. "It confirms what you suspected. Julian wasn't chasing Lily because she took the brooch. The child simply wandered into the hallway to retrieve her dropped hair bow and accidentally walked in on Julian pulling the sapphire out of a hidden wall safe behind the family portrait."
Elena pressed a trembling hand against her mouth. "He framed her. He saw her standing there, realized she might have witnessed him stealing from his own family trust, and decided to create a chaotic scene to discredit her word before she could say anything to anyone."
"A calculated and cowardly move," Beatrice added softly, her gaze shifting to sleeping little Lily with fierce maternal protectiveness. "To target an innocent six-year-old just to cover up his own financial crimes. It is unforgivable."
Arthur walked over to the coffee table and picked up the manila folder, flipping it open to reveal a series of legal documents bearing the official seal of the probate court. "Julian thought he could liquidate the estate’s remaining assets before the quarterly audit next Monday. But Clara’s sudden reappearance upended his timeline. She wants her rightful share of the trust, and this sapphire is the key piece of physical evidence required to prove that Julian has been systematically looting the family vault."
"Where is Clara now?" Elena asked, her earlier panic completely replaced by a cold, resolute determination. "If Julian knows she’s back, she could be in immediate danger. He’s already proven tonight that he has no moral boundaries left."
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"She is currently under secure guard at our townhouse across town," Arthur assured his daughter, closing the folder with a sharp snap. "My men secured her safety the moment she landed at the private airstrip. However, Julian still believes he has the upper hand because he thinks the brooch is safely hidden away in his own possession. He doesn't realize we now hold the physical evidence, nor does he know that the police have already been briefed on his financial embezzlement."
"Then we strike tomorrow morning," Beatrice declared, standing up slowly so as not to disturb Lily. "We present the evidence directly to the board of directors before Julian can fabricate another lie."
