Chapter 5 - The Subterranean VeinsBeneath the grand manor lay a forgotten labyrinth of brick tunnels built during the late nineteenth century to supply freshwater to the sprawling greenhouses. Damp air clung to their skin as Julian, holding Lily tightly to his chest, followed Bennett’s flashlight beam through the narrow passageway. Clara walked supported by Julian’s arm, her breathing shallow but steady.
Above them, muffled concussive thuds vibrated through the masonry—the contractor team had breached the front doors.
"They found the open hatch," Bennett muttered, checking his watch. "They’ll know we descended."
"Let them search the wine cellars," Julian said. "The aqueduct access is behind the coal chute."
As they navigated the darkness, Clara reached out, taking Julian’s hand. Her skin was dry and cold, but her pulse was strong. "They kept telling me Lily had forgotten my voice," she whispered. "Every Sunday, the man with the silver spectacles would come down and show me photographs of her birthday parties without me."
Julian’s chest tightened so violently he could hardly draw breath. "The trustee... Arthur Sterling."
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"Yes," Clara said. "Sterling runs the shadow fund. He said your father designed the cage, but Sterling built the lock."
Julian made a silent vow in the dark. Justice would not be handled through backroom settlements or quiet resignations. Sterling and every participant would answer publicly for stealing four years of a child's life.
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