Chapter 21 - A Mysterious Package Arrives at the Front Gate
The next morning, a bright spring sun illuminated the manicured lawns and iron security gates of the Whitfield estate.
Daniel and Grace sat together at the breakfast island in the sunlight-filled kitchen, drinking coffee while Lily colored at the counter.
The heavy estate intercom chimed softly, signaling that the morning mail delivery had arrived at the outer security gatehouse.
“I’ll go grab the mail before the morning meetings start,” Daniel said, standing up and pressing the security buzzer to open the gates.
He walked down the long stone driveway to retrieve the package drop from the automated delivery locker by the entrance.
Inside the locker sat a single, heavy manila parcel wrapped in thick brown paper with no return address stamped on the corner.
Daniel picked up the parcel, noticing his own name written across the front in neat, elegant cursive handwriting.
He carried it back to the house, setting it down on the kitchen island while Grace poured him a fresh cup of coffee.
“What is it? Another legal brief from Arthur about Vanessa?” Grace asked with a slight, playful smile.
“I don't think so; there’s no corporate letterhead on this one,” Daniel replied, using a kitchen knife to slice open the brown paper.
He pulled out a single, heavy sheet of embossed stationery and a small, vintage brass key with an engraved tag.
Printed across the stationery in neat cursive were words that made his blood run instantly cold:
May you like
“The foundation of your empire was built on stolen land; the key unlocks the truth your father tried to bury.”
Before Daniel could read the rest of the letter, the kitchen smart-screen flickered off, and the entire estate plunged into sudden, total darkness.
