Chapter 31 - THE UNOPENED MAHLOGANY BOX
At two o'clock in the morning, a heavy thunderstorm rolled over Westchester County, shaking the windowpanes of Sterling Manor.
Julian sat in his dimly lit study, working through routine corporate emails while listening to the rhythmic rain outside.
Suddenly, a quiet, distinct knock echoed against the heavy oak front doors of the estate.
Julian froze, his sharp eyes glancing at the security monitor on his desk, which unexpectedly displayed total static.
He pulled a sleek 9mm pistol from his desk drawer, disengaging the safety as he walked quietly down the darkened hallway.
Mrs. Gable and Claire remained asleep upstairs, completely unaware of the sudden breach in security communications.
Julian opened the massive front door, his weapon raised, but found the porch completely empty save for the pouring rain.
Resting on the top marble step was a small, antique mahogany box wrapped in a crimson ribbon.
Julian cautiously brought the box inside, locking the heavy mahogany doors and setting the package onto his desk.
Using a silver letter opener, he cut the crimson ribbon and slowly lifted the wooden lid of the box.
Inside, resting on black velvet, was a pristine red disposable lighter exactly identical to the one Victoria had used months ago.
Tucked beneath the lighter was a folded piece of heavy parchment paper containing a short message written in crimson ink:
"Victoria was merely our third-string pawn, Julian... welcome to the real game."
May you like
Julian stared at the red lighter in cold, breathless silence as a terrifying realization gripped his heart.
Before he could react, the power inside Sterling Manor went completely dead, plunging the entire estate into absolute darkness.
