Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 31 - Chapitre 40

Marielle remained seated at the edge of the sofa, her hands clasped tightly together.For several seconds, nobody spoke.The question Seraphina had asked seemed to have taken the air from the room.Who had Marielle been protecting that night?Caelric stood near the window, his attention fixed on his mother.His voice was calm when he finally spoke.“Mother, you knew someone was manipulating the foundation. You knew Orlan was involved. You knew Father suspected something. And you knew Seraphina’s father was in danger.”Marielle lowered her eyes.“I knew enough to be afraid.”“That isn't an answer.”“I know.”Seraphina sat opposite her, trying to keep her voice steady.“You told us Orlan wasn't the person behind everything. You saw someone give him an envelope. You said it was Caelric's uncle.”Marielle nodded.“And then you said you were protecting someone.”Another nod.“Who?”Marielle looked at Seraphina.For the first time since they had arrived, the older woman seemed less like the

Seraphina couldn't move.The envelope remained between her fingers, her father's handwriting staring back at her.If you're reading this, don't trust the person who told you I disappeared.Only one person had told her that story.Marielle.For years, Seraphina had believed her father had simply vanished from her life.She had believed the explanations she had been given. She had accepted the unanswered calls, the missing years, the carefully avoided questions.But now there was a letter waiting for her inside a hidden room her father had deliberately concealed.And he had left a warning.Caelric stepped closer.“Seraphina.”She didn't answer.“Are you all right?”She finally looked at him.“My father didn't disappear.”Caelric's expression remained serious.“We don't know that yet.”“He said not to trust the person who told me he disappeared.”“And that person was my mother.”“Yes.”Neither of them spoke for a moment.Then Caelric took a slow breath.“We're not going to accuse her wit

Seraphina couldn't take her eyes off the photograph.The man standing beside her mother looked ordinary.That was what frightened her most.He wasn't someone who attracted attention in the office. He wasn't a senior executive whose name appeared on company reports. He wasn't one of the powerful people who moved through Veyron Enterprises surrounded by assistants.He was simply there.Every day.Quiet.Unremarkable.Orlan's assistant.Caelric zoomed in on the photograph again.“What's his name?”Seraphina answered without taking her eyes from the screen.“Darian Quill.”Marielle suddenly looked toward her.“You know him?”“He works in finance.”“How long?”“Almost four years, I think.”Caelric's attention sharpened.“You think?”Seraphina finally looked at him.“He isn't someone I've had much reason to speak with. He handles most of Orlan's scheduling and financial correspondence.”Marielle slowly lowered herself into a chair.“Then he has access.”Caelric's expression became colder.“

Seraphina stared at the screen.THE WITNESS HAS CHOSEN.The words remained there for several seconds.Then the office door opened.Seraphina turned sharply.Darian Quill stood in the doorway.He was holding a folder against his chest.“Ms. Vale?”She quickly closed the photograph in her hand.“Yes?”“I was asked to deliver these documents to Mr. Veyron.”Seraphina looked at the folder.“By whom?”“Mr. Dacre.”Orlan.Her attention returned to Darian.“Caelric isn't in his office.”“I can wait.”“No need. I'll take them.”Darian stepped inside and placed the folder on her desk.His gaze briefly moved toward her computer.The screen had already gone dark.Seraphina noticed the movement.“Is there something else?”“No.”He smiled politely.“I'll leave you to it.”He turned.“Darian.”He stopped.“Yes?”“Have you ever worked at the old foundation?”For the first time, his expression changed.Only slightly.“I've visited it.”“When?”“A few times.”“Recently?”He considered the question.“N

Seraphina stared at her mother.The question hanging between them was no longer avoidable.“Why do you know where the original report is?”Her mother did not answer immediately.Caelric remained beside Seraphina, close enough that she could feel his presence without feeling crowded. He had not interrupted. He understood that this was a question Seraphina needed to ask herself.Her mother lowered her gaze to the silver key still resting in Seraphina’s palm.“Because I was there when your father made the decision to give it away.”Seraphina frowned.“Give it away?”“The report,” her mother said quietly. “Your father didn't simply hand it to Lucien. He asked me to help him.”Caelric's expression hardened.“Help him do what?”“Make sure no one could find it.”Seraphina's fingers tightened around the key.“But you said you didn't have it.”“I don't.”“Then how do you know where it is?”Her mother finally looked at her.“Because I know where your father intended Lucien to take it.”The room