Chapter 7 - The Anonymous Call
The buzzing phone cut through the quiet cathedral like a jagged knife.
Julian hesitated, staring at the glowing screen that simply displayed Restricted Caller.
"Don't answer it," Arthur warned, stepping closer and lowering his voice. "It could be a trap."
"If it's about Sarah or the company, I need to know," Julian said grimly, swiping the screen to accept the call and pressing the phone to his ear. "Hello?"
For a moment, there was only static and the heavy sound of someone breathing on the other end of the line.
Then, a distorted, mechanical voice spoke through the speaker.
“The wedding was just the beginning, Julian. If you open Unit 402, you won't just destroy Sarah’s family—you’ll destroy your own.”
Julian froze, his grip tightening around the phone so hard his knuckles turned white.
"Who is this?" Julian demanded, his voice echoing off the stone pillars. "Show yourself!"
“Check your father’s old study,” the distorted voice whispered. “The safe behind the portrait isn't empty anymore.”
The line went dead with a sharp click.
Julian slowly lowered the phone, his face pale and drained of all color.
"What did they say?" Arthur asked, noting the sheer terror in Julian’s eyes.
"They know about Unit 402," Julian murmured, running a hand through his hair. "And they told me to check the safe behind my father's portrait at the main estate."
Lucy stepped forward, her expression fierce and unyielding.
"It's a diversion," Lucy said sharply. "They want to stop us from getting to the warehouse before they clean it out."
"Or," Arthur countered thoughtfully, "they know we'll go to the warehouse, and they've already planted something incriminating at the estate to frame you, Julian."
Julian looked between the wise old mentor and the brave young girl, realizing he was caught in a massive chess game where every move had been anticipated years in advance.
"We split up," Julian decided firmly. "Arthur, you take Lucy and head to the warehouse. Use the key, get the files, and secure the tape."
"And you?" Lucy asked, her eyes narrowing with concern.
May you like
"I'm going back to the estate," Julian said, his jaw tightening. "It's time to face the ghosts of my father's house."
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