Chapter 4 - The Locked Drawer
Elena slammed her phone down onto the nightstand, her face flushing with sudden anger as she caught Julian standing in the doorway of the master bedroom.
"Do you make a habit of creeping around like a ghost?" Elena demanded, recovering her composure with practiced ease as she adjusted her silk cuffs.
"Who were you talking to, Elena?" Julian asked, his voice dangerously low as he stepped fully into the room, locking the door behind him with a definitive click.
"Business, Julian. Just managing the portfolio," she replied smoothly, though her eyes darted toward the heavy mahogany vanity against the far wall.
"Stop lying to me," Julian stepped closer, towering over her. "What does Margaret have to do with any of this?"
Elena’s facade faltered for a fraction of a second, a micro-expression of pure panic flashing across her elegant features before she locked her emotions back down. "Your dead wife has nothing to do with us, Julian. You're losing your mind."
"Then open that drawer," Julian pointed directly at the locked middle compartment of the vanity. "Open it right now, or I call the police to search this entire house."
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Instead of cowering, a cold, mocking smile spread across Elena's lips. She reached into her pocket, withdrew a small brass key, and tossed it carelessly onto the glass top of the vanity. "Go ahead, Julian. Look inside. But whatever you find in there, remember that you asked for it." Julian stared at the key, a cold sweat breaking out across his forehead as he realized the truth was about to destroy whatever was left of his life. With trembling fingers, he picked up the key and slid it into the brass lock.
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