The first rays of dawn stretched across the scarred grounds of Blackwood Manor.
The night's battle had ended, but its aftermath lingered everywhere.
Shattered glass sparkled beneath the morning light.
Security officers continued gathering evidence.
Gardeners silently removed broken branches from the once-pristine rose garden.
Inside the manor, however, another battle was unfolding.
One fought not with weapons...
But with truth.
---
Sebastian stood alone in his study, the morning newspaper untouched on his desk.
Instead, his attention remained fixed on the file Nathan had prepared only an hour earlier.
Across the cover, in bold black letters, were two names.
Elara Quinn
Beneath it...
Birth Name: Elara Ashcroft
Nathan knocked softly before entering.
"The estate has been secur
