Chapter 16:The Burning Truth
540 Words
The black Rolls-Royce sped through the deserted streets.
Sirens echoed in the distance.
Isabella stared out the window, gripping the silver key so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"Please..." she whispered.
"Don't let it be too late."
Within minutes, they arrived at the National Royal Bank.
The building was engulfed in flames.
Firefighters struggled to control the blaze as thick black smoke poured into the night sky.
"Stand back!" a firefighter shouted.
"The building isn't safe!"
Edward ignored the warning.
"My granddaughter has something important inside!"
The fire chief shook his head.
"No one can enter."
Suddenly...
Isabella noticed a figure walking calmly out of the smoke.
The person wore a long black coat and a silver mask.
In one hand...
He carried a small metal lockbox.
"Stop!" Isabella shouted.
The masked man looked at her.
Even through the mask...
She could feel him smiling.
He turned and began walking away.
"He's got the box!" Damien yelled.
Without thinking, Isabella ran after him.
"Isabella!" Edward called.
But she didn't stop.
Damien chased after her.
The masked man disappeared into a narrow alley.
When Isabella reached it...
He was waiting.
"So..."
"You finally made it."
His voice was calm.
"Who are you?" Isabella demanded.
Instead of answering...
He tossed the metal lockbox toward her.
She caught it instinctively.
"It's yours."
She frowned.
"If you wanted to steal it..."
"Why give it back?"
The man chuckled.
"Because I already took what I wanted."
He held up a small memory card between his fingers.
"The real secret was never inside the box."
Before Isabella could move...
A black motorcycle roared into the alley.
The masked man climbed on.
Just before leaving, he looked back.
"Oh..."
"Tell Edward..."
"The countdown has begun."
The motorcycle disappeared into the night.
Damien finally caught up.
"Are you okay?"
Isabella nodded.
"But he took something."
She looked down at the lockbox.
"It wasn't empty."
Back at Lancaster Mansion...
Edward carefully unlocked the metal box with the silver key.
Inside were several old documents...
A faded family photograph...
And a velvet pouch.
Isabella opened the pouch.
A beautiful emerald ring sparkled under the light.
Edward smiled sadly.
"That was your mother's engagement ring."
Tears filled Isabella's eyes.
She gently slipped it onto her finger.
Then Edward unfolded the documents.
His smile disappeared.
"What is it?" Isabella asked.
He looked at her in shock.
"These aren't ordinary papers."
"They're original ownership documents."
"For what?"
Edward swallowed.
"They prove that your father..."
"...owned forty percent of the Lancaster Group."
"What?"
"It means..."
"Half of this empire legally belongs to you."
Before anyone could speak...
A servant rushed into the room.
"Chairman!"
"We've received terrible news!"
Edward stood.
"What happened?"
"The Knight Group has been attacked."
"Someone planted explosives in one of their headquarters."
Damien's face turned pale.
"My parents..."
He immediately grabbed his phone.
No answer.
He called again.
Still nothing.
Then...
His phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
He answered.
A cold voice spoke.
"You protected Isabella."
"Now let's see..."
"...who protects your family."
The call ended.
Damien's hands began to shake.
Without another word...
He ran out of the mansion.
Isabella looked at Edward.
"The Black Serpent Society..."
"They're no longer just targeting me."
Edward nodded grimly.
"They've declared war."
- Writer
