Chapter 7
The mahogany double doors of the drawing room stood slightly ajar, casting a warm, amber glow across the Persian rug in the hallway. Julian stood near the back of the room alongside a dozen other staff members in their formal gray uniforms. At the front of the room stood Marcus Vance, leaning casually against the marble mantelpiece above a cold fireplace, exuding an air of quiet authority that did not belong to him.
"Thank you all for attending on such short notice," Marcus began, his voice smooth and measured, carrying easily across the high-ceilinged room. "As you know, Mr. Blackwood’s return has brought significant changes to the management of this estate. My primary concern is ensuring absolute discretion and loyalty moving forward."
His eyes swept over the gathered staff, pausing briefly on Julian before moving on. There was a calculated menace hidden beneath his polished exterior.
"There have been... discrepancies in certain historical records," Marcus continued, pacing slowly across the rug. "Specifically regarding the accounts from five years ago, around the time of Mrs. Blackwood’s unfortunate passing. Mr. Blackwood is currently reviewing those files, which unfortunately contain sensitive, and frankly, erroneous conclusions."
Julian’s muscles tightened. Marcus was already trying to preemptively discredit whatever Richard found in Eleanor’s journal. The attorney was laying the groundwork to frame Richard’s upcoming audit as the erratic behavior of a grieving, unstable man.
"If any member of the staff is approached by outside parties, journalists, or investigators asking questions about that night, you are required by your employment contracts to report it to my office immediately," Marcus stated, his tone hardening just a fraction. "Disloyalty will not be tolerated. The consequences will be severe."
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Mrs. Gable, standing near the front, gave a stiff, formal nod. "Understood, Mr. Vance. The staff remains dedicated to the privacy of the Blackwood family."
Julian kept his eyes fixed on the floor, his mind racing. Marcus wasn't just managing the estate; he was actively managing the narrative. He knew the audit was dangerous, and he was threatening the entire household to ensure no one spoke the truth. If Julian wanted to expose him, he couldn't rely on the staff speaking out. He needed hard, undeniable physical evidence—evidence that Marcus had undoubtedly hidden away in his private office on the estate grounds.
