Chapter 10
The morning sun cast a pale, cold light across the city as Evelyn and Mark reviewed the strategy they had formulated overnight. They were sitting in Mark’s car parked two blocks away from the house, watching the driveway. A sleek black sedan bearing corporate plates had just pulled up, and a courier in a sharp suit was walking toward the front door with a leather briefcase handcuffed to his wrist.
"That’s Julian Vance’s legal representative," Mark said, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. "He’s there to get Clara’s signature on the final deed waiver. Once she signs, Vance’s corporation takes absolute title, and any legal claims regarding the original trust are permanently nullified."
Evelyn stared at the house, her expression resolute. "We can't let her sign. Not because of the property, but because once Vance owns that land, he will demolish every trace of Thomas’s workshop in the basement—the very place where your father hid the original audit logs that clear his name."
"Basement?" Mark turned to her, surprised. "There’s a basement? The floor plans we reviewed didn't show a lower level."
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"It was sealed off during the renovation in ninety-nine," Evelyn explained quickly. "Thomas built a reinforced vault behind the old fruit cellar to store copies of the corporate transactions before Vance seized the main office. If we can get inside before the courier forces Clara’s hand, we can retrieve the evidence."
Mark didn't hesitate. He put the car in gear, pulling out of the parking spot and driving straight up the driveway, stopping his vehicle directly behind the corporate sedan to block its exit. He looked at Evelyn, a determined nod passing between them as they opened their doors and stepped out into the crisp morning air.
