Chapter 20 - The Maid's Confession**
The dawn broke clear and cold over the coastal road as federal cruisers lined the driveway of Blackwood Manor.
Howard and Pamela were placed into separate transport vans, their faces hidden from the gathering news crews outside the gate.
Julian sat on the tailgate of an ambulance, holding a warm blanket around Leo while Clara stood quietly beside them.
Julian looked up at Clara, the old man’s final words still echoing in his mind.
“Clara,” Julian said, his voice quiet and heavy. “What was Howard talking about?”
Clara took a long, deep breath, staring out at the white foam of the Atlantic ocean crashing against the rocks.
“Your mother didn't die of a heart attack twenty years ago, Julian,” Clara confessed softly, her eyes filling with uncharacteristic tears.
Julian felt a familiar chill creeping down his spine. “What happened to her?”
“She discovered that your father and Howard were using Vance Shipping to transport illegal capital out of the country,” Clara revealed. “She was going to the federal prosecutor the next morning.”
“And my father stopped her?” Julian asked, his breath catching in his throat.
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“Your father didn't know,” Clara whispered, looking directly into Julian’s eyes. “Howard Sterling poisoned her tea, and I was the agent assigned to cover it up to protect the federal wiretap.”
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