Chapter 6 - Shadows of the Past
Three weeks had passed since the downfall of Julian Thorne.
The Hayes estate had settled into a new rhythm. Lily no longer wore a maid's uniform; she moved through the mansion as a welcome guest and Victor’s personal confidante. Victor had arranged for her to enroll in an online university program for business administration, fulfilling a dream she had abandoned years ago when her mother fell ill.
Her brother, Liam, had taken an entry-level position at one of Victor’s legitimate logistics warehouses in the south district. Under Marcus's strict supervision, Liam was working honest hours, learning discipline, and earning a steady income.
Yet, despite the peace, Victor knew that in his line of work, shadows never vanished completely. They merely waited for the right moment to stretch again.
It was a Tuesday evening. A soft spring breeze blew through the open French doors of the main drawing room, carrying the scent of blooming jasmine from the gardens. Victor sat at his desk, reviewing shipping manifests, while Lily sat on the velvet sofa nearby, her laptop balanced on her knees as she studied her economics textbook.
The tranquility was broken by a sharp knock at the door. Marcus entered, his face grave.
"Boss," Marcus said quietly, glancing briefly at Lily before looking back at Victor. "We have a problem at the west boundary wall."
Victor set his pen down, his eyes narrowing. "What kind of problem?"
"A courier just left a package at the main gate," Marcus said, stepping forward and placing a small, wooden box tied with a black ribbon onto the desk. "No signature, no vehicle license plate. The security camera caught a masked individual dropping it off and fleeing into the woods."
Victor reached for the box, but Lily stood up quickly from the sofa, her instincts screaming. "Victor, wait! What if it's dangerous?"
"Marcus scanned it for explosives and chemical agents before bringing it in," Victor reassured her gently.
He untied the black ribbon and lifted the wooden lid. Inside, resting on a bed of dark velvet, was a silver pocket watch.
Victor froze the moment his eyes landed on it.
The watch was ancient, its silver casing engraved with an intricate family crest—a striking raven holding a sword. The front glass was cracked directly down the center.
Lily stepped closer, noticing the sudden, total silence that had come over Victor. "Victor? What is it?"
Victor reached into the box with a trembling hand, picking up the silver watch. He pressed the side latch, snapping the casing open. Inside, behind the cracked glass, was an old, faded photograph of a young boy standing beside a tall, stern man in a military uniform.
"It belongs to my father," Victor whispered, his voice stripped of all its usual authority.
Marcus leaned over the desk, his jaw set grimly. "Boss... your father’s estate was liquidated twenty years ago after the fire. That watch was supposed to have been lost in the ruins."
Victor turned the watch over. Engraved on the back of the silver casing were three fresh, hand-carved numbers: 04-12.
May you like
"April 12th," Lily read aloud softly. "That's... that's three days from now."
"It's not a date," Victor said, his voice turning into an icy whisper. "It's an address. Pier 4, Warehouse 12. The place where my father died twenty years ago."
