Chapter 4 - The Shadow of Sarah|
"Let go of me!" Elena yelled, pulling back with all her strength.
Before Alexander could pull her closer, a tall man in a dark gray suit stepped between them. Marcus Vance, Alexander’s chief head of security, placed a firm hand against his boss’s chest.
"Alexander, calm down," Marcus said quietly, his eyes darting to the open vault door. "The room is full of guests. People are watching."
Alexander breathed heavily, his knuckles white, but he slowly released Elena’s wrist. He adjusted his silk cuffs, his hands trembling slightly, and turned to face his guests.
"Gentlemen," Alexander said, his voice forced and tight. "The demonstration is over. Please clear the room. My team needs to inspect a mechanical malfunction."
Richard Blake hesitated, eyeing the open vault with intense curiosity. "Alexander, if there's an issue with the vault's security—"
"Out!" Alexander barked.
Within two minutes, the room was cleared. The executives, the lawyers, and the assistants filed out into the hallway, whispering frantically among themselves. The heavy double doors of the penthouse office clicked shut, leaving only Alexander, Marcus, two security guards, Elena, and little Sofie.
The silence in the room was suffocating.
Alexander walked slowly over to the open vault door. He pulled it open another two inches, revealing the dark, climate-controlled interior.
Standing on the central pedestal inside was not gold, cash, or diamond necklaces.
Resting under a glass display case was a single, hand-stitched leather notebook and a silver music box shaped like a swan.
Alexander stared at the music box, his jaw clenched tight.
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"Eight years," Alexander whispered to the empty air. "Eight years since Sarah vanished."
Elena, still holding Sofie near the door, froze at the sound of that name.
