Chapter 5 - THE HIDDEN PAPER
Back at the safehouse, Lily was going through the small beige clutch bag she had taken from the estate during the confrontation.
Beside her, little Mia was happily drawing pictures on the living room rug with a pack of colored pencils, completely oblivious to the war waging around her.
Lily pulled out the folded sheet of paper she had grabbed from the hidden compartment of Julian’s study desk moments before Eleanor’s guards had confronted her yesterday.
It was a piece of heavy cream stationery, bearing Julian’s distinct handwriting, dated just three days before his fatal car crash.
She unfolded it carefully, her heart hammering against her ribs as she read the lines once more.
"If you are reading this, Lily, it means I didn't make it to the meeting in Chicago."
"Do not trust my mother, and under no circumstances sign any documents prepared by Richard."
"The real key to everything is not in the house or the safe."
"It is in the old boathouse at Lake Geneva."
"Inside the blue tackle box, under the false floor, you will find the safety deposit key to Box 408."
"That box contains the full ledger of my mother's real estate transactions from 2012 to 2024."
"Keep Mia safe. I love you both more than life itself."
Tears welled up in Lily’s eyes, but she quickly wiped them away before Mia could notice.
She folded the paper back up and placed it securely inside her inner dress pocket.
"Marcus," she called out toward the hallway where the security chief was standing post.
May you like
"We need to make a trip to Lake Geneva."
"Today."
