Chapter 13 - The Last Note
That evening, inside the spacious living room of Clara’s suburban home, the air was warm and quiet.
Lily sat at the piano in the corner, her small fingers practicing a simple classical melody her mother had taught her years ago. The music floated gently through the open French doors leading to the garden.
Clara sat at her writing desk, reviewing the final legal dissolution of the Vance corporate charter.
Her phone buzzed on the desk. It was an encrypted text message from Agent Ross.
CLARA. WE COMPLETED THE FORENSIC RECOVERY OF ELEANOR’S PERSONAL EFFECTS FROM THE SWISS FACILITY. ONE ITEM WAS SAVED FROM THE PRIVATE SAFE. SHIPPING TO YOU NOW.
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Ten minutes later, a courier delivered a small, velvet-lined box.
Clara opened it with trembling hands. Inside lay a second gold necklace—identical to the one Marcus had used as bait, but with one crucial difference. On the back of this rose pendant, beneath the word ROSEWOOD, was a second engraved line in Eleanor’s own handwriting: TO MY SISTER CLARA - PROTECT OUR FLOWER.
