Chapter 5 - THE MESSAGE IN THE RABBIT
When the emergency lights came on, the garden was empty.
Marcus searched outside but found only footprints leading toward the northern wall.
Clara remained beside Emma, her mind trapped between terror and hope.
Had the man been Gabriel?
Or had someone worn the ring to manipulate her?
Marcus returned with a small piece of paper found beneath the greenhouse door.
Three words had been printed on it.
Do not trust Alessandro.
Clara read the message twice.
“You said Gabriel was his son.”
“He was.”
“Then why warn me against him?”
Marcus took the paper.
“Because families like the Valmonts survive through secrets, not loyalty.”
Emma tugged Clara’s sleeve.
“Mommy, Blue is making noise.”
Clara looked down.
A faint clicking came from the rabbit.
Marcus immediately closed the greenhouse blinds.
“Give it to me.”
Emma shook her head and hugged the toy.
Clara knelt.
“It’s all right. Let Mommy see.”
Emma reluctantly released it.
The sound came from inside the torn ear.
Marcus removed a small knife and carefully opened two stitches. Beneath the fabric was a thin black device no larger than a coin.
A green light blinked.
Marcus placed it on the table.
The device projected a line of light against the greenhouse wall.
A distorted image appeared.
Gabriel stood in a dark room.
Clara stopped breathing.
The recording was older. Gabriel’s hair was shorter, and a bruise covered one side of his face.
“If Clara is watching this,” he said, “then I failed to come home.”
Clara covered her mouth.
Emma pointed at the projection.
“Daddy.”
Gabriel continued.
“My name was Adrian Valmont before I became Gabriel Bennett. I lied because the truth would have placed you both in danger.”
Clara’s eyes filled with tears.
“I am sorry.”
The recording flickered.
“Vivian murdered my mother. She also controls members of the Black Crown who have remained hidden inside my father’s household. I tried to expose them, but I discovered something worse.”
Gabriel looked over his shoulder as if he had heard a sound.
“The Crown Ledger contains evidence of a project called Lazarus. I do not know its full purpose. I only know that children were involved, records were erased, and my father ordered the program closed.”
Clara looked at Emma.
Gabriel’s voice became urgent.
“The rabbit contains my part of the access key. Never give it to Alessandro unless he answers one question.”
The projection began to fade.
“What was buried beneath the white tree?”
The recording vanished.
A second message appeared.
The archive will open at midnight.
Marcus checked his watch.
It was eight forty-seven.
“Why midnight?” Clara asked.
“Because someone has activated the palace vault.”
“Who?”
Before Marcus could answer, alarms sounded.
Through the glass walls of the greenhouse, red lights began flashing throughout the estate.
A voice echoed over the security system.
“Palace lockdown initiated. All staff and guests must return to the grand ballroom.”
May you like
Marcus looked at Clara.
“Vivian knows we found the message.”
