The western wing had remained closed for years.
Arthur unlocked a heavy wooden door and stepped aside.
"Your father used to spend hours in here, sir. Sometimes he worked through the night."
Davis entered.
The study smelled of old paper and polished wood.
A large desk stood beside the window. Books filled the shelves, and several framed photographs rested on a cabinet.
Davis walked toward the desk.
A photograph showed him as a little boy sitting on his father's shoulders.
He picked it up.
His father had been smiling.
Davis remembered that day clearly. They had visited a charity event, and his father had promised to take him to an amusement park afterward.
He had kept that promise.
Davis closed his eyes briefly.
"I wish you were here," he whispered.
Then he noticed something unusual.
The desk had several drawers, but one appeared to have been sealed.
He pulled at it.
It wouldn't move.
"Arthur, do you know where the key is?"
The old man shook his head.
"No, sir. Your father kept the key with him."
Davis examined the drawer.
There was a small metal plate bearing the Blackwood family crest.
He touched it.
DING!
The system activated.
[FAMILY LEGACY LOCK DETECTED.]
[AUTHENTICATION REQUIRED.]
Davis placed his hand on the plate.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then a faint blue light appeared.
[HOST IDENTITY VERIFIED.] This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
A mechanical click sounded.
The drawer opened.
Inside lay a sealed envelope, a small black box, and several old financial documents.
Davis took out the envelope.
His name was written across the front in his father's handwriting.
FOR MY SON, DAVIS.
His hands trembled.
He opened it carefully.
Inside was a letter.
My dear Davis,
If you are reading this, it means that circumstances have prevented me from explaining certain things to you myself.
First, know that your mother and I love you more than anything in this world.
Second, never believe that money alone determines the value of a man. Money can build houses and businesses, but character determines whether those things are worth keeping.
Davis paused.
His eyes blurred.
He wiped them and continued.
There are matters concerning our family that you are too young to understand. Some people who once stood beside me were not the friends they claimed to be.
If something happens to me, do not trust anyone simply because they knew our family.
Seek the truth, but do not allow revenge to consume you.
The Blackwood name carries a responsibility. If you ever reclaim what was lost, use your strength wisely.
With all my love,
Your father.
Davis lowered the letter.
For several moments, the room remained silent.
Then he opened the black box.
Inside was a silver key and a small storage device.
The system chimed.
[FAMILY LEGACY KEY ACQUIRED.]
[HIDDEN REWARD UNLOCKED: BLACKWOOD ARCHIVE.]
[WARNING: CERTAIN ARCHIVE FILES MAY CONTAIN RESTRICTED INFORMATION.]
Davis looked at the storage device.
"Can you read this?"
[SYSTEM RESPONSE: THE DEVICE CONTAINS ENCRYPTED FILES. DECRYPTION WILL REQUIRE ADDITIONAL AUTHENTICATION.]
Davis placed the device in his pocket.
"Fine. We'll deal with that later." This story is hosted at g.com.
Arthur watched him carefully.
"Did your father explain anything, young master?"
Davis folded the letter.
"He warned me that someone he trusted might have betrayed him."
Arthur's expression became troubled.
"Then he was right to be cautious."
Davis turned sharply.
"What do you mean?"
Arthur looked toward the window.
"There was a man who visited your father frequently in the final months before the accident. He was a business associate. After your parents died, he disappeared from the city."
"What's his name?"
Arthur hesitated.
"Victor Ashford."
The system immediately sounded an alarm.
[DING! DING! DING!]
[HIGH-PRIORITY TARGET IDENTIFIED.]
Name: Victor Ashford.
Affiliation: Meridian Consortium.
Threat Assessment: Unknown.
Connection: Possible link to the collapse of Blackwood Holdings.
Davis stared at the notification.
The Meridian Consortium.
The same organization Elena had mentioned.
He looked at Arthur.
"Do you know where Victor Ashford is now?"
"No, sir. But if he is still alive, someone in the financial district will know how to find him."
Davis slipped the letter into his jacket.
"Then that's where we'll start."
He had arrived at the estate looking for answers.
He was leaving with a name.
And that name might lead him to the people responsible for destroying his family.