ing on her. The dim light from the setting sun cast eerie shadows across h

r fingers instinctively clutched the letter in her pocket. Every word Edward Hartman

e had just unlocked. His expression darkened, and fo

laced with menace. "What makes you think you can walk into my fa

I just-" she starte

?" Daniel took another step forward, his eyes cold and

knew or if he had been watching her. But one thing was certain:

voice betraying her. "The

ould tell he didn't believe her. He stepped closer, his towering frame casti

y, his voice dangerously low. "So I'

standoff. Olivia stood in the doorway, her expression c

a beat, he stepped back, his icy glare softening slightly. "No problem,

he way Daniel's words felt like a veiled threat. He gave her one last look,

etween Elena and Olivia was

voice gentle now. "I'm sorry about Dani

't ease. "Yeah, I'm fine. But... why does he h

rsonal, Elena. Daniel has always been very close to his father's business, and this will has

to the surface. "Why would Edward Hartman leave everything

an, even with his closest colleagues. I don't know the full extent of his reasons, but I do know

own on her, and the more she thought about the letter hidden in he

asked, her voice small.

via said gently. "I'm here to help yo

ward's letter echoed in her mind. Trust no one. Could she

w, we'll start going over the details of the estate and the business.

usion and fear. Olivia offered her a small, reassuring smile befor

es. She glanced at the locked drawer, now open, and the key that still sat on th

, though beautiful, felt increasingly like a cage. The long hallways seemed to stretch endl

k onto the bed, pulling the letter from her pocket. Her fingers traced the ed

r life depended on protecting what he

letter again, her eyes lingerin

trust. Daniel had already shown his hostility, and though Olivia seemed kind, there

nto her bag. She couldn't dwell on it now. Tomorrow wou

as a faint knock on her door. She frowned, glancing at the

r and opened it a crack, peerin

a staff member or Olivia

as D

em was palpable. Elena's heart skipped a beat, and every

he di

" Daniel said quietly,

the air between them, but something about the way he looked at he

arily, her hand still gri

d, then turned back to her. His expression softened, just for a moment, a

his voice barely above a whisper. "There's something

ed, and she felt the