Part 2:
The wax cracked under Richard’s thumb.
Inside the envelope was a single photograph.
He looked at it for three seconds.
Then his face changed.
Every guest in the ballroom saw it.
The calm was gone.
“Richard…” Claire’s voice broke. “Please put it away.”
He didn’t.
He held the photograph up so the nearest guests could see.
“This woman,” Richard said, his voice steady but raw. “Does anyone recognize her?”
Evelyn leaned forward with a smirk.
Then the color drained from her face.
Her wine glass slipped from her fingers.
It shattered on the marble floor.
“You…” Evelyn whispered. “Where did you get that?”
The room froze.
Daniel turned to Evelyn. “You know her?”
Evelyn’s mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Richard’s voice dropped low.
“You know her because she’s your sister.”
Gasps exploded across the ballroom.
Evelyn staggered backward. “That’s impossible. She d*ed years ago.”
“She didn’t,” Richard said. “And you knew that.”
Claire grabbed Richard’s arm. “Dad, stop. They’re here.”
Richard looked toward the ballroom doors.
The three men in dark suits had entered.
The silver phoenix pins caught the light.
Every security guard stepped aside for them without a word.
The man in front looked directly at Claire.
“It’s time to come home.”
