Chapter 6 - The Confiscated Flower
The federal agent’s gloved hand hovered inches from the peach-colored artificial peony flower. The air in the ballroom was thick with the scent of expensive perfume, charred electronics, and the looming dread of inevitable ruin. Clara was being led away toward the exit, her silver sequined gown snagging on the marble threshold, though she made no sound now, completely defeated by the sudden collapse of her empire.
"It belongs to my father," Lily said softly, her blue eyes staring unblinkingly into the agent's weathered face. "They told me he threw it away after the accident. But you can't throw away things that refuse to burn."
The agent, whose badge identified her as Special Agent Miller, exchanged a long, heavy look with Mark. She slowly stood up, her tactical vest rustling as she motioned to two junior officers standing nearby.
"Bag it," Agent Miller instructed, pointing a gloved finger at the artificial flower. "Every single petal. There might be chemical residue on the silk. If they used accelerant to fake the crash site, the fabric will hold the trace elements for weeks."
Thomas, currently being guided toward the doors by two burly officers, suddenly twisted his body around with surprising strength. His dark suit jacket strained at the seams.
"You're chasing ghosts, Miller!" Thomas shouted, his voice cracking with fury. "That child has been coached by a disgruntled ex-employee with a grudge! Check his financial history! He's the one who embezzled the development funds!"
Mark didn't flinch. He simply met Thomas’s venomous glare with an expression of profound boredom. "Save your breath for the indictment, Thomas. The wire transfers from the Cayman accounts were routed through your personal private IP address. Not mine."
Thomas’s face drained of its remaining color. He stopped struggling, allowing the officers to guide him out into the cold night air without another word. The heavy oak doors swung shut behind them with a dull, final thud, sealing the fate of the Vance family dynasty.
Agent Miller turned back to Lily, her expression softening into something resembling deep, professional sorrow. "You're a very brave little girl, Lily. But this is only the beginning. Once we open the estate vaults, we're going to find a lot of things your grandfather kept hidden."
"I know," Lily replied, her blonde braids shifting as she nodded slowly. "That's why I left the safe combination on the library desk."
Agent Miller blinked in surprise. "You knew the combination to the main vault?"
"Grandfather forgot to change it after Daddy died," Lily said simply. "He always used the year my mother was born. He thought nobody would ever be smart enough to check the family bible."
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Mark smiled faintly, resting a hand on Lily's shoulder. "Like I said, Special Agent. She's the smartest person in this entire zip code."
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