Chapter 9 - The Family Nobody Knew
Claire stared at Daniel.
"That's impossible."
"Why?"
"Because my grandfather's name was George."
"George was the man who raised your father."
Claire's mind spun.
"My father never mentioned Thomas."
"Because Thomas disappeared."
"When?"
"Before your father met Linda."
"Why?"
"Money."
Claire almost laughed.
"Everything comes back to money."
Daniel nodded.
"Because money was never the real problem."
"What was?"
"Control."
Daniel explained that Thomas had built a private financial structure years before Claire was born.
The trust had been created to protect assets from someone he believed would eventually betray the family.
Claire asked who.
Daniel refused to answer.
She became furious.
"Everyone knows something except me."
Daniel looked at her.
"Because your father wanted you to have a normal life."
"He failed."
"I know."
Claire looked at Ethan.
"What do we do now?"
Ethan said, "Find the key."
Claire turned back to Daniel.
"Where would my father hide it?"
"Somewhere Linda wouldn't look."
Claire thought about the house.
Her childhood bedroom.
The attic.
The garden.
Then she remembered the birthday video.
Her sixteen-year-old self had been crying.
Her father had been holding something.
A small wooden box.
Claire suddenly remembered.
"The piano."
Daniel frowned.
"What piano?"
"The one in the old house."
They returned that evening.
The piano had not been played since her father's death.
Claire opened the bench.
Nothing.
She checked underneath.
Nothing.
Then Ethan noticed a loose wooden panel.
He removed it.
Inside was a small brass key.
Claire stared at it.
The key had a black stone attached.
The same symbol as the ring.
Daniel's face changed.
"That's it."
Claire took it.
"What does it open?"
Daniel didn't answer.
Instead, his phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
Then immediately declined the call.
A second call came.
He declined it again.
A third.
He switched off the phone.
Claire frowned.
"Who was that?"
Daniel looked at her.
"You need to leave."
"Why?"
"Because they know you found the key."
The house lights suddenly went out.
Rachel screamed from upstairs.
Claire ran toward the staircase.
Ethan followed.
Then came a loud crash.
The front window shattered.
Everyone froze.
Daniel shouted.
"Down!"
They dropped.
Claire held the key tightly in her hand.
Outside, an engine roared.
A black sedan sped away.
May you like
Claire stood slowly.
The key was gone.
