Chapter 8 - The Room Beatrice Tried to Reach
Beatrice did not go upstairs for clothing.
She went toward the study.
Mrs. Sterling noticed immediately.
“Where are you going?”
“My coat is in there.”
It was not.
Maya had placed Beatrice’s coat in the guest closet herself.
Nathaniel followed her.
Beatrice reached the study door and tried the handle.
Locked.
Her eyes dropped to the brass key beside the shattered plate.
That was why she had reacted.
The key did not open the front door.
It opened the study.
Maya picked it up.
“What is inside?”
Beatrice’s face went blank.
“Nothing that concerns you.”
“It is my house.”
“You have no idea how to manage what your grandfather left.”
Maya crossed the room.
She inserted the key.
The study door opened.
Inside were built-in shelves, an old oak desk, and several locked filing cabinets.
One cabinet stood slightly open.
Someone had forced it.
Nathaniel looked at Beatrice.
“You entered this room.”
“No.”
Maya saw fresh scratches near the lock.
A pearl-colored thread was caught on the metal edge.
It matched Beatrice’s dress.
Ethan appeared behind them carrying a suitcase.
“Mom?”
Beatrice turned.
Her expression warned him to remain silent.
Maya opened the damaged drawer.
Inside were property surveys, trust records, and a sealed envelope addressed to her.
The envelope had been cut open.
The original document was missing.
Nathaniel’s face hardened.
“That contained the anti-conversion covenant.”
Maya looked at him.
“What does that mean?”
“It prevents the property from being merged with neighboring commercial land.”
Beatrice’s development plan could not proceed unless that covenant disappeared.
Maya looked at the torn envelope.
“You stole it.”
Beatrice remained calm.
“You cannot prove that.”
Mrs. Sterling lifted her phone.
May you like
“You were recorded entering the room eleven days ago.”
For the first time, Beatrice looked genuinely frightened.
