Chapter 21 - THE HOUSE UNDER THE HOUSE
Henry finally revealed the truth.
The Carter estate had been built over an older property.
Beneath the basement was a sealed chamber.
Daniel had never known it existed.
His father had hidden the original Bellhaven archive there.
The gold key was not meant to open the archive itself.
It opened the door.
Daniel, Claire, and federal agents returned to the estate.
The house was empty.
The basement floor looked untouched.
Henry directed them toward a stone wall.
“Behind there.”
They removed the panel.
A narrow staircase descended.
At the bottom was a steel door.
The gold key fit perfectly.
Daniel turned it.
The door opened.
Inside were thousands of files.
Photographs.
Medical records.
Birth certificates.
Adoption papers.
And a wall covered in names.
Daniel found his own.
Then Melissa's.
Then Noah's.
Beside Noah's name was a handwritten note:
PRIMARY SUCCESSOR.
Daniel stared.
“Successor to what?”
Claire examined the document.
“Bellhaven's ownership structure.”
Daniel found another file.
It contained bank transfers.
The money went through shell companies.
Then charities.
Then medical foundations.
At the end was one name.
JONATHAN VALE.
Daniel looked around.
“He's been funding it for thirty years.”
A sound came from behind them.
Footsteps.
Everyone turned.
May you like
Henry whispered:
“Edward.”
