Chapter 25 - THE UNEXPECTED DELIVERY
A week later, while Sierra was preparing breakfast in her kitchen, the front doorbell rang twice.
A uniformed postal worker stood on the stoop, holding a small wooden box wrapped in heavy brown paper and tied with twine.
The parcel carried no return address, but it bore an international postage stamp originating from Zurich, Switzerland.
Sierra signed for the delivery, taking the mysterious box into her private study and locking the door behind her.
Using a small silver letter opener, she carefully cut the twine and removed the thick brown paper wrapping.
Inside lay an antique mahogany box lined with velvet, housing an old brass key and a folded parchment letter.
The letter was written in dark, elegant ink, carrying a formal tone that felt cold and ancient.
May you like
"To Sierra Vance," the opening line read. "You believe the destruction of Julian Sterling and Arthur Vance ended your family's debts..."
"You are mistaken. The glass cabinet Julian shoved your daughter into was not an antique decoration..."
