Chapter 6: The Visitor in the Dark
The mansion changed the moment the alarm sounded.
The quiet elegance disappeared.
The staff stopped pretending everything was normal.
Security moved through the halls.
Doors locked.
Voices lowered.
For the first time, Leo saw the fear underneath the luxury.
This was not just a big house.
It was a battlefield.
Edward stood near the entrance, watching the security team move.
“Where was the breach?””
The guard checked his device.
“South side of the property.””
“How many people?””
“We’re not sure.””
Edward’s expression hardened.
“You’re not sure?””
The guard looked uncomfortable.
“There was no clear entry point.””
That answer bothered Edward.
Someone had entered a heavily protected mansion without leaving obvious signs.
That was not random.
That was someone who knew the property.
Someone familiar.
Edward turned to James.
“Who has access to this house?””
The butler hesitated.
Everyone noticed.
Edward’s eyes narrowed.
“James.””
The butler looked down.
“Family members. Staff. Security. Certain executives.””
“Names.””
James looked uncomfortable.
“Sir—”
“Names.””
The butler finally spoke.
“Your brother had access.””
Edward went still.
Even though his brother was gone, the answer still mattered.
“Who else?””
“Your former assistant.””
Edward’s face changed.
“Marcus?””
James nodded.
Marcus had worked beside Edward for fifteen years.
He had managed schedules.
Handled meetings.
Known every weakness.
Every habit.
Every secret.
Edward felt a chill.
“How long has Marcus known about Daniel?””
James looked away.
“Since the beginning.””
Before Edward could respond, the lights flickered.
Leo moved closer to him.
Edward noticed.
“You’re okay.””
The boy nodded.
But he wasn’t.
He was trying to be brave.
That reminded Edward of Daniel.
Same eyes.
Same stubbornness.
Same refusal to show fear.
A security guard entered quickly.
“Mr. Brangnown.””
Edward turned.
“What?””
“We found something.””
The guard held a small object.
A black envelope.
Edward took it.
No name.
No address.
Just one symbol on the front.
The same family crest from the pocket watch.
James’ face changed.
“You shouldn’t open that.””
Edward looked at him.
“Why?””
“Because whoever left it wanted you to.””
Edward stared at the envelope.
A trap.
A message.
A warning.
Maybe both.
He opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
Edward looked down.
Then everything stopped.
It was Daniel.
Older than the last picture Edward had seen.
But alive.
Standing beside a woman.
Anna.
And in the woman’s arms was a baby.
Leo.
Edward’s breathing changed.
A thousand emotions hit him at once.
Relief.
Anger.
Pain.
His son had been alive.
His son had held his child.
His son had lived a life Edward never knew existed.
Leo saw the photograph.
“That’s my mom.””
Edward looked at him.
“Yes.””
“Is that my dad?””
Edward could barely speak.
“Yes.””
Leo stared at the image.
He touched the corner carefully.
“He looks happy.””
Edward looked away.
Because that was the hardest part.
Daniel had looked happy.
Daniel had built a family.
And Edward had missed all of it.
A voice came from behind them.
“You were never supposed to see that.””
Everyone turned.
James looked terrified.
The security guards reached for their weapons.
A man stood near the hallway entrance.
Older.
Well-dressed.
Calm.
Edward recognized him instantly.
Marcus.
His former assistant.
The man who knew every part of his life.
Edward stared.
“You broke into my house.””
Marcus smiled slightly.
“No.””
He looked around.
“I came home.””
The words sent a cold feeling through the room.
Edward stepped forward.
“You know where my son is.””
Marcus said nothing.
Edward’s voice grew darker.
“You know what happened.””
Still nothing.
Then Marcus looked at Leo.
And his expression changed.
Not anger.
Not surprise.
Fear.
“You shouldn’t have brought him here.””
Edward moved in front of Leo.
“You don’t get to speak about him.””
Marcus looked at the pocket watch.
Then at Edward.
“Daniel was trying to protect that boy.””
Edward’s jaw tightened.
“From who?””
Marcus looked around the mansion.
At the walls.
At the people standing there.
Then he said the one thing Edward never expected.
“From you.””
The room went silent.
Edward stared at him.
“What?””
Marcus took a slow breath.
“Daniel didn’t believe his father was the enemy.””
A pause.
“But he believed his father’s name was dangerous.””
Edward’s eyes narrowed.
“Explain.””
Marcus looked at Leo.
Then back at Edward.
“Your son discovered the truth about the Brangnown family.””
The lights flickered again.
Outside, security moved.
Inside, nobody spoke.
Marcus lowered his voice.
“And he disappeared because he learned what your family had done to survive.””
Edward felt his stomach tighten.
“My family?””
Marcus nodded.
“Yes.””
He looked at the watch.
“The question is…”
May you like
A pause.
“…are you ready to learn why Daniel was afraid to come home?””
