Chapter 21 - A Mysterious New Stranger Arrives At The Gate
The stranger offered a faint, polite smile, pulling the weathered leather envelope a little closer to his chest. "My name is Christian Vance, and I represent someone you thought you would never hear from again," he said smoothly.
Audrey felt her muscles tense instantly, memories of federal agents and corporate sharks rushing back into her mind. "I'm retired from family drama, Mr. Vance," Audrey replied coldly, stepping back to close the door.
"This isn't about your father, and it certainly isn't about Julian," Christian interrupted quickly, holding the envelope out toward her. "This concerns an asset your grandfather hid away before he died—an asset neither your father nor Lenora ever knew existed."
Audrey stared at the sealed envelope, her breath catching in her throat as the Atlantic wind howled around the porch. She had thought the cycle of secrets and hidden fortunes was finally over for good.
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"What kind of asset?" Audrey asked cautiously, her hand hovering over the weathered leather paper. Christian's eyes gleamed with a quiet, dangerous curiosity under the morning sun.
"Open the envelope, Audrey, and find out what your family is truly worth," he invited softly. Audrey slowly reached out her hand, taking the envelope as the waves crashed loudly against the rocky shore below.
