Chapter 33 — Box Number Seventeen

Chapter 33 — Box Number Seventeen

The storage facility stood on the edge of the city, hidden between old warehouses and abandoned commercial buildings.

Alexander insisted on bringing his security team. Amelia disagreed at first, but she eventually understood that they couldn't take unnecessary risks.

Charlotte came with them.

Richard remained at the mansion to contact his attorney and investigate the signatures on the old document.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" Amelia asked as they entered the building.

Alexander checked the address.

"According to Thomas, yes."

A facility manager approached them.

"Can I help you?"

Alexander presented the authorization document Thomas had left behind.

"We're looking for storage box seventeen. It belonged to Edward Laurent."

The manager examined the paper and disappeared into the back office.

A few minutes later, he returned with a key.

"Unit 117. Everything inside has been paid for, but no one has accessed it in years."

Alexander took the key.

"Thank you."

The unit was located at the end of a narrow hallway. When the door opened, dust covered the shelves and several old boxes.

Amelia stepped inside.

"Grandfather kept all of this?"

"Apparently," Alexander replied.

They searched until Charlotte noticed a metal cabinet behind a stack of folders.

"Look at this."

Alexander helped her move the cabinet. Inside was a locked drawer.

The key from the manager opened it.

There were three envelopes.

Each one carried a name.

Amelia Laurent.

Charlotte Laurent.

Daniel Laurent.

Amelia slowly picked up her envelope.

Her hands shook as she opened it.

Inside was a letter written by her mother.

My dearest Amelia,

If you are reading this, then someone has finally uncovered what your grandfather tried to hide. I never wanted you separated from your brother and sister. I fought to keep all three of you together, but the people around me had already made decisions.

Amelia stopped reading.

Tears filled her eyes.

Charlotte gently touched her shoulder.

"Keep going."

Amelia continued.

I was told that Charlotte would be safe, and that Daniel would be protected. I wanted to believe them. But I never stopped searching for my children. If you find this letter, please understand that I did not abandon any of you.

Amelia pressed the letter against her chest.

For years, she had wondered why her mother had never told her about the others.

Now she understood that Isabelle had been trying to find them.

Charlotte opened her own envelope.

It contained a photograph of a young woman standing beside Isabelle outside a hospital.

"That's me," Charlotte whispered.

On the back, Isabelle had written:

My brave Charlotte. I hope one day you will know that you were always loved.

Charlotte's eyes filled with tears.

Alexander examined Daniel's envelope. It contained a recent photograph of a young man standing outside a university building.

He looked older than the boy in the earlier photograph, but the family resemblance was unmistakable.

"Amelia," Alexander said carefully.

She turned.

"Is that Daniel?"

The photograph had a handwritten date from only a few months earlier.

Below it was an address.

And a name.

Daniel Hale.

Charlotte stepped closer.

"They changed his name."

Alexander studied the photograph.

"Someone has been keeping track of him."

Amelia took the picture.

"Then we need to find him."

Before Alexander could answer, his security officer entered the unit.

"Sir, we have a problem."

"What is it?"

"The storage facility manager says someone accessed this unit yesterday."

Alexander's expression hardened.

"Who?"

The officer showed him a photograph from the security camera.

It was Martin Hale.

Amelia looked at the screen.

"Thomas's brother."

Alexander nodded.

"And he wasn't here to look for old memories."

The officer continued.

"There's something else. The camera recorded him removing a folder from this unit."

"What folder?" Charlotte asked.

The officer enlarged the image.

The label was barely visible, but Alexander recognized it.

Guardian Transfer — Daniel Hale.

Amelia felt a chill run through her.

Someone had taken the document that could explain who raised Daniel.

And Martin had known they would come looking for it.

As they left the facility, Alexander received a call from an unknown number.

He answered.

"Who is this?"

A young man's voice came through.

"You're looking for Daniel, aren't you?"

Alexander stopped walking.

"Who are you?"

The caller hesitated.

Then he said something that made Amelia turn immediately.

"My name is Daniel Hale. And I think I'm the brother you're trying to find."

The call disconnected.