Benedict couldn't take his eyes off the photograph.Eleanor stood beside Harold Crane.Twenty-six years ago.At the countryside house.The same place where Benedict had supposedly been hidden.The same place connected to the beginning of everything.His fingers tightened around the edges.“Where did you get this?”Serena shook her head.“I told you. It was left on my desk.”“When?”“Before I arrived this morning.”“Was the office locked?”“Yes.”“Any sign of forced entry?”“No.”Benedict looked around the office.“Who has access?”“Only my assistant, the security staff, and me.”“Anyone else?”She hesitated.“The building manager has a master key.”Benedict looked back at the photograph.“Then we start there.”Serena frowned.“You think someone broke into my office just to leave this?”“I don't think they broke in.”“Then how did they enter?”Benedict looked at her.“They wanted you to know they could.”A chill passed through her.“What does that mean?”“It means this isn't a warning.

Benedict didn't sleep.The message kept returning to his mind.Your grandfather paid for it.If the caller was telling the truth, then the mystery surrounding his birth had just become more complicated.His grandfather had created Vandross Holdings.In Benedict's name.Before Benedict was old enough to understand what a company was.Why?At six in the morning, he was already in the study.Old Ashcroft records covered the desk.Victor entered quietly.“You're awake.”“I didn't sleep.”Victor looked at the documents.“Neither did I.”Benedict pushed one toward him.“Vandross Holdings received money three days after I was born.”Victor studied the transaction.“Where did the money come from?”“That is what we're trying to find.”Victor looked up.“You think my father created this?”“Someone told me he did.”“Who?”“An anonymous caller.”Victor's jaw tightened.“You shouldn't trust anonymous calls.”“I don't.”Benedict tapped the document.“But this information is real.”Victor remained s

The footsteps grew louder.Benedict immediately stepped in front of Serena.“Stay here.”Serena grabbed his arm.“No.”He looked at her.“Serena.”“We came together.”Another footstep echoed below.Benedict lowered his voice.“Then stay close.”They moved away from the office door.The warehouse fell silent.For several seconds, neither of them breathed.Then a shadow passed across the doorway.Benedict moved.But the person disappeared.He rushed into the corridor.Nothing.Only darkness.Serena followed.“Did you see him?”“No.”“Then where did he go?”Benedict looked down.A small door at the end of the corridor stood open.He approached it carefully.Inside was a narrow staircase leading to the lower level.Fresh dust had been disturbed.Someone had just gone down.Benedict started after him.Serena followed.They reached the bottom.An empty storage room waited below.No person.No exit.Only a small table.On it was a second envelope.Benedict stopped.“This was planned.”Serena

The house was darker than Benedict remembered.He stood in the hallway with Serena beside him, staring at the woman who had just spoken his name.Margaret Hale.She looked older than the photographs, but there was something familiar about her eyes.“You knew me,” Benedict said.Margaret nodded.“I knew about you.”“From when?”“Before you came to Ashcroft Manor.”Benedict felt his chest tighten.“Then you know what happened to me.”Margaret's expression saddened me.“I know part of it.”“Part?”“That is all anyone ever knew.”Serena stepped forward.“Then tell us what you know.”Margaret looked toward the windows.“You shouldn't have come here.”“Why?”“Because if someone discovers that I've spoken to you, they will know the past is no longer buried.”Benedict's voice hardened.“My past was buried without my permission.”Margaret looked at him for a long moment.Then she nodded.“Come inside.”They followed her into a small room hidden behind the old study.Margaret locked the door.B

Benedict read the message again.Ask Victor what happened the night he lost his son.He didn't move. Serena stood beside him, watching the screen."You're thinking about your parents.""Yes.""Do you remember anything about that night?""No. I was a baby.""I know."Benedict slipped the phone into his pocket. "But my parents should remember."Serena nodded. "Then ask them."He looked toward the city. "For twenty-five years, they've both carried the wrong story.""What story?""That they lost each other."Serena understood. "And you think the night you disappeared is connected to it.""I think everything is connected."Victor was in his study when Benedict arrived. The room was quiet — too quiet. Victor looked up from the documents on his desk."You came.""I need to ask you something."Victor noticed his expression immediately. "What happened?""I need you to tell me about the night I disappeared."Victor went completely still. Benedict watched him carefully."You remember?"Victor's