Under the protection of my twin brother

Chapter 10

Margaret Taylor was an elderly woman with delicate features and white hair neatly coiffed. Her eyes, despite their age, still retained their sharpness of vision and the ability to notice the smallest details. Margaret had lived a long life and seen many things: joys and sorrows, ups and downs. She now lived in a small house near the Radrigies estate and occasionally visited the twins.

Tod and Sarah had always treated Margaret with special respect. She was not just a nanny for them, but also a keeper of family secrets and memories. The twins knew that the old nanny might know a lot more about the family than she first thought. That's why they decided to ask her for help in investigating her father's death.

One evening, Tod and Sarah came to Margaret's house. They knocked on the door for a long time, until finally they heard shuffling footsteps and saw the silhouette of an old woman in the window. After a brief conversation, Margaret finally agreed to let them in.

Margaret's apartment was small but cozy. Old photographs hung on the walls, books and souvenirs brought from different parts of the world were on the shelves. The air smelled faintly of lavender — Margaret liked to use scented sachets.

As they sat down at the table, the twins noticed how intently Margaret was looking at them. There was a mixture of curiosity and caution in her eyes. It was clear that she understood the seriousness of their intentions and didn't want to take unnecessary risks.

"I know you've come for a reason," Margaret began, pouring tea into the cups. — You want to know something about your family's past, right?"

Tod nodded.

— Yes, we're trying to figure out what happened to our father. We think there's more to his death than meets the eye.

Sarah added:

— We hope that you can share with us some memories or details that will help us in our investigation.

Margaret sighed and looked out the window, as if trying to remember something far away.

"Your family has always been difficult," she said at last. "Richard was a strong and determined man, but he had his own weaknesses and secrets. Your mother... she was very different. Kind, gentle, but at the same time very principled.

The twins listened intently, afraid to miss a word. They knew that every memory of Margaret could be important.

"When you were little, your mother often talked about the importance of preserving family values and supporting each other," Margaret continued. — She was very fond of you and Richard, but there were often conflicts between them. Richard was too domineering and sometimes didn't take into account other people's feelings.

Tod frowned.

- Conflicts? What exactly are you talking about?

"Oh, it wasn't just a domestic dispute," Margaret said. — Sometimes it seemed that there was a deep chasm between your parents. Your mother tried to soften Richard's temper, but he wasn't always ready to make concessions.

Sarah looked at the nanny thoughtfully.

— Maybe these conflicts have something to do with what happened later? With her death and... everything else?

Margaret nodded.

"It's possible. Your mother died under mysterious circumstances, and I still can't figure out what really happened. Richard was devastated by her death, but there was something strange about his behavior. It was as if he had withdrawn into himself and stopped trusting others.

Tod asked:

— What about our stepmother, Evelyn?" How did she get into our family?

Margaret grimaced.

— Evelyn… She came into your life a few years after your mother's death. Richard said that he met her at a business meeting and immediately realized that he wanted to marry her. But I always sensed something false about her. Evelyn smiled too sweetly and tried too hard to win your trust.

Sarah clenched her fists.

— We were beginning to suspect her, too. And Harvey Morgan. They seem to be the prime suspects in my father's death.

Margaret looked at the twins sympathetically.

"Be careful. Evelyn and Harvey are dangerous people. They know how to hide their true intentions and can go to great lengths to achieve their goals.

Tod thanked Margaret for her frankness and assured her that they would be careful. Before leaving, the twins once again asked the nanny to share any details that might be important to the investigation.

When they got home, Tod and Sarah discussed what they'd heard for a long time. Margaret's memories confirmed their suspicions that the Radrigies family had many secrets and conflicts. They realized that their mother's death might have been linked to the same dark forces that later led to Richard's death.

With each new revelation, the twins became more and more convinced that they would have to reveal many terrible secrets. But they were ready for this, because not only their own future was at stake, but also the memory of their parents.

Meanwhile, after seeing the twins off, Margaret Taylor sat at the window for a long time, wondering what this investigation would lead to. She knew that Tod and Sarah were brave and determined people, but she also knew that they might face danger if they continued to dig too deep.

The atmosphere in the Radrigies ' house was becoming increasingly tense. Evelyn sensed that the twins were nearing a solution, and she began to take extra precautions. Harvey Morgan wasn't idle either — he was devising a plan to stop Todd and Sarah before they did irreparable damage to his interests.

Tod and Sarah continued to gather evidence, analyze the information they received, and share their findings with Michael Stone. They knew that the path to the truth would be long and difficult, but they were prepared for this challenge, because they were united by a common goal and unwavering determination.

Each new day brought new discoveries and new questions. The twins were increasingly immersed in the dark world of intrigue and betrayal that lurked behind the facade of the prosperous Radrigies family. They knew it would be a long and difficult task, but they were determined to see it through.

Despite the growing tension and danger, Tod and Sarah didn't give up. They believed that together with Michael Stone, they could solve the mystery of their father's death and punish those responsible. The twins knew that the memory of their father and the safety of their family were worth risking everything.

Time passed, and each day brought them closer to either a solution or a new danger. Tod, Sarah, and Michael continued their investigation, not knowing what lay ahead, but firmly believing that the truth would prevail.

But for now, they continued to follow the plan, hoping that their efforts would not be in vain and that the truth would eventually come to light. The twins and their allies still faced many challenges, but they were prepared for them, because they were united by a common goal and unwavering determination.

With each passing day, the atmosphere in the Radrigies Manor became more tense. Evelyn sensed that the twins were getting closer to a solution, and it made her nervous. Tod and Sarah, for their part, were becoming increasingly aware that their stepmother was hiding a lot of secrets. Conflicts between them flared up more often, and each time the tension in the house reached new heights.

The morning began with subtle innuendos and suspicious glances. Over lunch and dinner, conversations inevitably turned to controversial topics. Evelyn tried to keep her temper under control, but her irritation sometimes broke out. Tod and Sarah were as sharp and firm as she was.

One of the first serious clashes was the discussion of the disposal of property. Evelyn suggested that some of the articles in Richard's will be revised, which caused a storm of indignation among the twins. Tod had said sharply that his stepmother had no right to interfere with his father's wishes. Sarah supported her brother, adding that they would not allow any changes. Evelyn responded by accusing them of being stubborn and unwilling to compromise. The argument threatened to escalate into a real fight, but at the last moment everyone restrained themselves. However, the words spoken in anger hung in the air like a heavy cloud of disbelief.

In the following days, conflicts began to arise at the slightest provocation. Evelyn accused the twins of being ungrateful and overly suspicious. Tod and Sarah, in turn, pointed out her strange behavior and questionable connections. Each of them tried to protect their interests, without thinking about how this affects the overall atmosphere in the house.

One evening, while Sarah was sitting in the living room with a book, Evelyn came up to her and started a conversation that quickly turned into an argument. The stepmother reproached the girl for spending too much time on "useless investigations" and forgetting about her duties in the house. Sarah replied that it was her duty to find out the truth about her father's death, and no household chores could be more important than that. Evelyn flared up, saying that Sarah was being selfish and did not think about the welfare of the family. The girl did not remain in debt and reminded her stepmother that she herself behaves suspiciously and does not deserve trust.

Tod, hearing about the argument, came into the living room and sided with his sister. He told Evelyn that he and Sarah would not stop until they found out the truth. The stepmother responded by accusing the twins of ruining the family with their paranoid ideas. Tod argued that it was her actions that put their future at risk.

These words were a turning point. Evelyn realized that the twins wouldn't back down, and decided to step up her precautions. She became more careful in choosing topics of conversation and monitoring her actions. However, her inner tension was growing, and this was reflected in her behavior.

Tod and Sarah also knew that the situation in the house was heating up, but they were not going to back down from their plans. They continued to gather evidence, analyze the information they received, and share their findings with Michael Stone. The twins tried to make themselves inconspicuous, but Evelyn could still sense their presence and activity.

Sometimes Tod and Sarah would catch their stepmother's eyes on them, filled with hatred and annoyance. They knew that Evelyn saw them as a threat, and that only made them more determined. At the same time, the twins tried to support each other and not give in to despair. They knew that the path to the truth would be long and difficult, but they were prepared for this challenge.

Evelyn, meanwhile, was looking for ways to counter the threat posed by Tod and Sarah. She knew that if they learned too much, her own secrets might be exposed. The stepmother began to interact more actively with Harvey Morgan, discussing possible scenarios with him and developing new plans.

Harvey, in turn, did not sit idly by. He kept a close eye on the twins ' actions and looked for weaknesses in their strategy. Morgan knew that Tod and Sarah were a serious threat to his interests, and he was willing to go to great lengths to stop them.

Meanwhile, in the Radrigies household, life went on as usual, but beneath the surface of everyday life there was a hidden struggle. Tod and Sarah continued their investigation, Evelyn and Harvey worked out counter-measures, and the atmosphere in the manor became increasingly explosive.

The twins felt that the denouement was approaching, and they needed to solve all the secrets before the enemy struck a decisive blow. They understood that not only their future was at stake, but also the memory of their father. Tod and Sarah were ready for any challenge, because they shared a common goal and unwavering determination.

Every day brought new discoveries and new questions. The twins were sinking deeper and deeper into the dark world of intrigue and betrayal that lay behind the facade of the prosperous Radrigies family. They knew it would be a long and difficult task, but they were determined to see it through.

Despite the growing tension and danger, Tod and Sarah didn't give up. They believed that together with Michael Stone, they could solve the mystery of their father's death and punish those responsible. The twins knew that the memory of their father and the safety of their family were worth risking everything.

Time passed, and each day brought them closer to either a solution or a new danger. Tod, Sarah, and Michael continued their investigation, not knowing what lay ahead, but firmly believing that the truth would prevail.

But for now, they continued to follow the plan, hoping that their efforts would not be in vain and that the truth would eventually come to light. The twins and their allies still faced many challenges, but they were prepared for them, because they were united by a common goal and unwavering determination.

With each new discovery, they became more and more aware that they were facing powerful and dangerous enemies, but this only strengthened their resolve to go all the way. Tod and Sarah knew that the memory of their father and the safety of their family were worth risking everything. And Michael Stone knew this could be the toughest case of his career, but he was ready for the challenge.

The atmosphere in the manor continued to heat up. Evelyn increasingly came into conflict with the twins, and Harvey Morgan openly showed his displeasure with their actions. Tod and Sarah sensed that the denouement was approaching, and they needed to solve all the secrets before the enemy struck a decisive blow.

They continued to gather evidence, analyze the information they received, and share their findings with Michael. The twins knew that only by joining forces would they be able to stand up to Evelyn's cunning and Harvey Morgan's ruthlessness.

So Tod, Sarah, and Michael Stone moved forward step by step, despite all the obstacles and dangers. They knew that the road to truth would be long and difficult, but they were prepared for this challenge, because they were united by a common goal and unwavering determination.