Amelia stood frozen in the dimly lit room of the old Greystone Manor, her heart pounding in her chest. Uncle Robert's presence was a shock she wasn't prepared for. The man who had always been a steady figure in her life now stood before her, his expression cold and unrecognizable.
"You've gone too far, Amelia," Robert said, his voice calm but laced with menace.
Lucas stepped in front of Amelia protectively, his jaw set. "What are you doing here, Robert? What are you hiding?"
Robert smirked, his eyes flickering between the two of them. "You don't understand, Lucas. This family's legacy is built on secrets, and some truths are better left buried. If you keep digging, you'll destroy everything including yourselves."
Amelia's grip on the photograph tightened. "So it's true. Grandfather and Michael's family were involved in something illegal. And you've been protecting it all this time."
Robert's smirk faded, replaced by a grim expression. "I've been protecting the family. If this gets out, it won't just ruin our name—it will put all of us in danger."
Amelia felt a surge of anger rise within her. "You call this protection? Lying to us? Hiding the truth? You've let this rot fester for decades, and now it's threatening to destroy us anyway!"
Robert stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You think you're so righteous, Amelia? You're naive. This world isn't black and white. Sometimes, sacrifices have to be made to ensure survival. You wouldn't understand."
Lucas clenched his fists. "Enough with the riddles. What are you really afraid of, Robert? Who are you protecting?"
Robert's gaze hardened. "You don't know the people we're dealing with. If they find out you've uncovered this, they won't hesitate to come after you. After all of us."
Amelia refused to back down. "Then let them come. I won't live in fear, and I won't let this family be controlled by secrets and lies any longer."
As the tension in the room reached its peak, Robert took a step back, his eyes filled with a mixture of frustration and resignation. "You're just like your grandfather. Stubborn and blind to the consequences."
Amelia stepped forward, her voice steady. "And you're just like the people who let him fall. Afraid to do what's right because it's easier to stay silent."
Robert's face darkened. "You don't understand what you're getting yourself into, Amelia. If you keep going, you'll cross a line you can't come back from."
Lucas placed a reassuring hand on Amelia's shoulder. "We're not stopping, Robert. Whatever secrets you're hiding, we'll uncover them. The truth deserves to come out."
Robert stared at them for a long moment before turning away. "Do what you want. But don't say I didn't warn you."
With that, he walked out of the room, leaving Amelia and Lucas alone.
Amelia took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "He's hiding something big. I can feel it."
Lucas nodded. "And he's scared. Whoever these people are, they have power—and they won't hesitate to use it."
They turned back to the documents and photographs, sifting through the contents of the box for more answers. Among the papers, Amelia found a ledger filled with cryptic notes and dates.
"This could be the key," she said, pointing to the entries. "If we can decode this, we might find out who else is involved."
Lucas frowned as he examined the ledger. "We'll need help. Someone with expertise in cryptography or finance."
Amelia thought for a moment. "I know someone. Zara she's a tech genius. If anyone can crack this, it's her."
Lucas hesitated. "Do you trust her?"
"With my life," Amelia said firmly.
As they prepared to leave the manor, a sudden noise outside made them freeze. The sound of an engine roared to life, followed by the crunch of gravel.
"Someone's here," Lucas whispered, pulling Amelia behind him.
Peeking out through a crack in the door, they saw two black SUVs parked outside the manor. Several men in suits were stepping out, their movements calculated and purposeful.
"They've found us," Amelia whispered, her heart racing.
Lucas pulled out his phone, dialing quickly. "We need backup. Now."
Amelia clutched the photograph and ledger tightly as Lucas led her toward the back of the manor. "We can't let them get these documents," she said, her voice trembling.
"We won't," Lucas promised.
They slipped out through a side door, keeping to the shadows as the men began searching the house. The woods surrounding the manor provided some cover, but the sound of footsteps grew closer with each passing second.
As they reached the edge of the woods, Lucas suddenly stopped, his face pale.
"What is it?" Amelia asked, panic rising in her voice.
Lucas pointed to the ground ahead. A small, red laser dot moved across the leaves, hovering just inches from their feet.
"Snipers," he whispered.
Amelia's blood ran cold as she realized the danger they were in. Before she could react, a voice rang out from the darkness.
"Drop everything and surrender, or the next shot won't miss."
Amelia turned slowly, her heart pounding as she saw a figure step out of the shadows—a figure she recognized immediately.
"Michael," she breathed, her voice barely a whisper.
Michael's smirk was as cold as the night air. "Did you really think you could uncover the truth and walk away unscathed? This ends now, Amelia."
The walls are closing in, and Amelia and Lucas are caught in a deadly trap. Will they escape with the truth, or will Michael's power finally crush them?