Chapter 14: The Locked Drawer
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A Discovery in the Night
Late into the night, Max sat in his office, the silence broken only by the faint hum of the mansion's air conditioning. The box of his brother's belongings lay open on the desk. He sifted through its contents: photographs, old letters, and trinkets from Jonathan's travels.
As he reached the bottom of the box, his fingers brushed against something smooth and cool. Pulling it out, he found a small wooden drawer, intricately carved but firmly sealed. The drawer's surface bore a faint engraving—Family is the greatest treasure.
Max flipped it over, noting a keyhole on the bottom. He immediately thought of the key he had found earlier.
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The Missing Key
Max retrieved the key from his desk drawer, his heart racing. But as he tried to insert it into the lock, he realized it didn't fit. The key was too small.
Frustrated, Max placed the drawer on the desk and examined it more closely. It felt heavier than it should, as though it held something significant.
"What are you hiding, Jonathan?" he murmured.
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Seeking Help
The next morning, Max's curiosity got the better of him. During breakfast, he casually brought up the topic with Mrs. Collins.
"Do you know if Jonathan kept a safe or a hidden compartment anywhere?" he asked.
Mrs. Collins frowned, her gaze thoughtful. "He was a private man, but I do recall seeing him with a similar box once. He mentioned it contained... personal items."
"Anything specific?" Max pressed.
She shook her head. "I'm afraid not, sir. But if it's locked, it must be important."
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Elena's Interruption
As Max pondered his next steps, Elena appeared, holding Evan by the hand.
"Mr. Grant, Evan has something to show you," she said with a smile.
Evan held up a piece of paper covered in colorful scribbles. "Look, Dad! I drew our family!"
Max blinked, caught off guard. He knelt to examine the drawing, which depicted stick figures labeled with their names.
"It's... very creative," Max said, ruffling Evan's hair.
Evan beamed, running back to the playroom.
"You're getting better at this," Elena remarked as Max straightened.
Max's lips twitched in a reluctant smile. "Practice makes perfect."
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The Library Revelation
Determined to solve the mystery, Max spent the afternoon searching through his brother's belongings and old documents. In Jonathan's journals, he found a peculiar note: The past is the key to the future.
The phrase struck a chord. Max recalled a cabinet in the library that Jonathan had once described as his "thinking space."
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A Hidden Clue
That evening, Max ventured into the library. The antique cabinet stood in the corner, dusty and untouched. As he opened its drawers, he found various knick-knacks, but one drawer refused to budge.
He examined the edges and noticed a small notch, almost imperceptible. Using a thin letter opener, he pried it open. Inside was an envelope containing a second key.
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Cliffhanger (End of Chapter)
Max returned to his office with the newly discovered key. His hands trembled as he fit it into the lock on the wooden drawer. This time, it clicked open.
Inside was a folded letter and a single photograph of Jonathan with a woman. The woman looked eerily familiar—she bore a striking resemblance to Elena.
Max's breath hitched. Why was Elena connected to his brother?
The questions multiplied as he unfolded the letter, his eyes scanning the first line: To my dearest Max, if you're reading this, it means I couldn't protect them.
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