BOUNDED BY THE CLAUSE

CHAPTER SEVEN: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

The entire Kingsley Estate was placed under lockdown.

Security guards searched every hallway, every guest room, and every corner of the gardens. The servants gathered nervously in the main hall, whispering among themselves.

No one understood how an intruder could have entered such a heavily guarded estate.

Or worse...

What if there had never been an intruder at all?

Adrian stood before the security team.

"I want every security recording from the last twenty-four hours."

"Yes, sir."

"And no one leaves this estate until we find out who is responsible."

The guards quickly dispersed.

---

Amara remained silent as she stared at the red message on the ruined portrait.

THE BRIDE MUST LEAVE.

A chill ran down her spine.

"You should be frightened," a voice said behind her.

She turned to see Adrian.

"I am."

He looked at the broken frame before speaking.

"But I won't let anyone hurt you."

She searched his face.

"Why?"

He hesitated.

"Because I brought you into this."

It wasn't a declaration of love.

But it was the first time Amara had heard genuine concern in his voice.

---

Later that afternoon, Raymond entered Adrian's office carrying a tablet.

"We recovered part of the security footage."

Adrian looked up.

"And?"

"Someone disabled the cameras for exactly eight minutes."

"Can you identify who accessed the system?"

Raymond nodded slowly.

"The security code belonged to someone inside the family."

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

"Who?"

Before Raymond could answer, the office door burst open.

A maid rushed inside, breathless.

"Mr. Kingsley!"

"What is it?"

"We can't find Miss Collins."

Adrian was on his feet instantly.

"What do you mean you can't find her?"

"She was in the west garden a few minutes ago... then she disappeared."

For the first time in years, Adrian's calm expression cracked.

"Search the entire estate," he ordered.

"Now!"

---

Hidden behind the old greenhouse, Amara slowly regained consciousness.

Her head throbbed.

Her wrists weren't tied, but the garden gate had been locked from the outside.

A folded envelope lay beside her.

With trembling hands, she opened it.

Inside was a single photograph.

It showed Adrian standing beside another woman in a wedding dress.

Across the picture, someone had written in black ink:

You're not his first choice.

Before Amara could process what she was seeing, footsteps echoed outside the greenhouse.

Someone was coming.

And the door handle began to turn.