The estate had always felt like a fortress to Lucas, a place where he could control the narrative and keep his secrets. But now, with every passing moment, it seemed less secure, more vulnerable to unseen threats. The events of the previous night the cryptic warning, the smoke from the shattered window lingered in the air like a storm cloud.
Amelia couldn't shake the unease. She stood by the window in the drawing room, gazing out at the sprawling gardens. Everything seemed calm on the surface, but she knew better now. "Lucas," she said softly, breaking the silence, "we can't ignore this. Someone's watching us, waiting for the right moment to strike."
Lucas, sitting at his desk with the cryptic note in his hand, looked up. His usually confident expression was replaced by one of deep concern. "I know," he admitted. "Whoever they are, they've been planning this for a long time. This isn't random."
Damian, leaning against the wall, added, "And they know too much. They've been inside the estate—inside our lives. That's what makes them dangerous."
Amelia turned away from the window and faced them. "We need to find out who it is. If they're already in the shadows, they'll come closer if we don't act."
The three of them decided to search the estate for any signs of intrusion or planted evidence. Lucas began in his study, checking the bookshelves and hidden compartments where he kept sensitive documents. Amelia went to the library, scanning for anything out of place, while Damian inspected the security system.
Amelia's fingers trailed over the spines of old books. She felt out of her depth in this world of secrets and power, but she couldn't back down now. Her eyes landed on a book that didn't match the rest—its cover was newer, the spine unmarked. Pulling it out, she found a small key taped to the inside.
She hurried to find Lucas, who was in the study, his brow furrowed as he inspected a hollow space behind the desk. "I found this," Amelia said, holding out the key.
Lucas took it, turning it over in his hands. "Where did you get this?"
"In the library. It was hidden in a book," she explained.
Damian entered the room at that moment. "The security footage has been tampered with," he announced grimly. "Someone erased the records from last night."
Lucas cursed under his breath. "Whoever did this is not just bold—they're skilled. We're dealing with someone who knows how to cover their tracks."
Using the key, the trio searched for anything it might unlock. It wasn't until they reached an old storage room in the basement that they found a matching lock. Lucas inserted the key, and the creak of the turning mechanism echoed in the silence.
The door swung open, revealing a hidden compartment containing documents, photographs, and a USB drive. The documents were financial records, but they didn't match Lucas's accounts. They detailed transactions under his name, transferring large sums to offshore accounts he had no knowledge of.
Amelia picked up one of the photographs. It was a grainy image of Lucas shaking hands with a man she didn't recognize. The timestamp suggested it had been taken three years ago, but Lucas swore he had never met the man.
"This is a setup," Lucas said, his voice steady but cold. "Someone is trying to paint me as corrupt."
Damian examined the USB drive. "We need to see what's on this," he said, heading for the nearest computer.
The USB drive contained emails and communications between "Lucas" and several powerful figures. The conversations were incriminating, discussing illegal deals and bribes. But what caught Amelia's attention was a recurring name: Alexander Greer.
"Who is Alexander Greer?" she asked.
Lucas's face darkened. "An old rival. He's been after my business for years, but this… this is a whole new level."
Damian's eyes narrowed as he scanned the files. "This isn't just about business. Greer wants to destroy your reputation, and he's got help."
Amelia looked at the photos and emails again. "If Greer is behind this, he's not working alone. These emails reference someone inside the estate."
Lucas froze. "A mole," he said quietly. "Someone on the inside is feeding him information."
The weight of the discovery settled over them. Lucas's grip on the USB drive tightened. "This changes everything," he said. "We're not just fighting an enemy outside these walls. One of our own is working against us."
Amelia placed a hand on his arm. "We'll figure this out. But we need to be smart about it. If we confront the wrong person, we could tip them off."
Damian nodded. "Agreed. We need to keep this quiet while we gather more proof. The mole doesn't know we've found this yet—that's our advantage."
Lucas's jaw tightened. "I won't let them win. Whoever it is, they'll regret underestimating me."
Before they could decide their next move, the room's overhead light flickered. A loud crash echoed through the estate, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.
Amelia's heart raced. "What was that?"
Damian drew his weapon. "Stay here," he ordered, heading toward the noise.
But Lucas didn't listen. "If they're coming for me, I won't hide," he said, following Damian out of the room.
Amelia hesitated for a moment before grabbing the hidden documents and stuffing them into her bag. She wasn't about to let their only evidence fall into the wrong hands.
The sounds grew louder as they approached the main hallway. When they turned the corner, they saw a figure sprinting toward the exit, a shadowy blur under the dim lights.
"Stop!" Lucas shouted, but the intruder was already gone, disappearing into the night.
On the floor, where the figure had been moments before, was a single, chilling message written in bold red ink:
"You're running out of time."
The three of them stood in stunned silence, the weight of the warning sinking in. Whoever their enemies were, they weren't hiding anymore. The shadows were moving, and time was no longer on their side.