Chapter 23
Six months later, spring had returned to the Vermont valley, blooming with vibrant wildflowers and green meadows.
Ethan had built a small equestrian barn near the lake, where Lily was learning to ride a gentle brown pony.
Gallagher Financial had officially taken over the management of Ethan’s legitimate real estate holdings in New York.
Victoria had been appointed Special Prosecutor for State Financial Crimes, earning a reputation as the most feared lawyer in the state.
Life had settled into a quiet, beautiful rhythm of peace, hard work, and family dinners.
It was a warm Tuesday afternoon when the mail truck pulled up to the wooden mailbox at the end of the driveway.
Ethan walked down the gravel road, enjoying the afternoon sun, to retrieve the daily post.
Inside the box were standard utility bills, a postcard from Victoria in Albany, and a small white envelope.
The envelope had no stamp, no return address, and no postmark.
It was made of heavy, expensive parchment paper, sealed with a red wax stamp.
Imprinted in the wax was a crest Ethan recognized instantly: the crest of the European Family Council.
Ethan felt a cold knot form in his stomach as he broke the wax seal with his thumb.
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Inside was a single glossy photograph taken from a long-range telephoto lens.
The photograph showed Ethan, Clara, and Lily playing near the lake earlier that morning.
