Chapter 6 - THE LOCKED ROOM AT BELLAMERE
The following morning, Daniel and I arrived at Bellamere Estate.
The property was enormous.
A restored nineteenth-century mansion surrounded by gardens, fountains, and private event halls.
I had visited dozens of times during my relationship with Nathan.
But I had never been allowed into the east wing.
Victoria claimed it was being renovated.
Now I knew there was a reason.
Thomas Reed met us in the lobby.
"Miss Hayes, thank you for coming."
"Where is Mrs. Caldwell?"
"Upstairs. She's meeting with the board."
"Then we should be quick."
Thomas led us through a narrow corridor toward an old service elevator.
The brass key opened a small door beside it.
Behind the door was a private archive room.
Rows of locked cabinets filled the space.
Thomas looked surprised.
"I've worked here for twenty years. I didn't know this existed."
I found cabinet A-17.
The key turned.
Inside was a leather document case.
My mother's initials were stamped on the cover.
E.H.
My hands trembled as I opened it.
There were original design sketches, handwritten agreements, bank statements, and a sealed envelope addressed to me.
I opened the envelope.
My dearest Madison,
If you have found this room, then someone has attempted to take what I left for you.
I need you to know that I never willingly surrendered my designs or my shares.
Your father made a promise to protect the family after I became ill. He broke that promise.
Victoria Caldwell was not acting alone.
I stopped reading.
Daniel leaned closer.
"Keep going."
There is a reason Victoria wants Bellamere. The estate holds the original registration documents for the entire collection. Whoever controls those documents can claim ownership of every design.
But the most important document is not in this room.
It is held by the person who witnessed the original agreement.
His name is Edward Caldwell.
My breath caught.
Nathan's grandfather.
The founder of the Caldwell empire.
He had died three years earlier.
But the letter continued.
Edward knew the truth. He promised to correct the records before his death. If he failed, find the silver ledger.
Do not trust anyone who tells you the matter has already been settled.
I looked at Daniel.
"The silver ledger."
He searched the cabinet.
Nothing.
We checked the drawers.
Nothing.
Then Thomas pointed toward a framed photograph on the wall.
It showed my mother standing beside Edward Caldwell in front of Bellamere's original workshop.
On the back was a small metal plate.
A silver-colored rectangle.
I pressed it.
The frame clicked open.
Behind it was a narrow compartment.
Inside lay a leather-bound ledger.
Its cover was silver.
I carefully removed it.
The first pages contained records of payments made to my mother for her designs.
The following pages documented licensing agreements.
Then came a list of transfers.
Millions of dollars.
All connected to a company called Caldwell Heritage Holdings.
Daniel began photographing every page.
"This is enough to establish a pattern," he said.
I turned to the last page.
A handwritten note was attached.
If Victoria attempts to transfer the collection, she will be acting against the original agreement.
Beneath it was Edward's signature.
Then I found another document.
A shareholder resolution.
It gave the holder of Eleanor Hayes's shares the right to suspend any transfer involving the Bellamere design collection.
I had the authority.
I could stop Victoria.
But before I could say anything, the archive door opened.
Victoria stood there.
Two security guards were behind her.
Her eyes went straight to the ledger in my hands.
"What are you doing in here?"
I closed the book.
"Looking for something that belongs to me."
Victoria's expression hardened.
"Put it down."
Thomas stepped forward.
"Mrs. Caldwell, Miss Hayes has legal access."
"She has no authority to enter this room."
Daniel calmly held up the documents.
"Actually, she does."
Victoria looked at him.
Then at the ledger.
For the first time, she seemed unable to find the right words.
"That book is confidential."
"So is the evidence of financial misconduct," Daniel replied.
Victoria turned toward the guards.
"Remove them."
Neither guard moved.
Thomas spoke quietly.
"Mrs. Caldwell, I believe you should wait for the board."
Victoria glared at him.
"You work for me."
Thomas looked at me.
"Not anymore."
I placed the ledger inside Daniel's briefcase.
Then I faced Victoria.
"Tomorrow morning, there will be an emergency shareholder meeting."
She smiled coldly.
"You're making a terrible mistake."
"Perhaps."
I walked past her.
"But it won't be the first one you've made."
As we reached the elevator, my phone rang.
It was Nathan.
I almost ignored it.
Then I answered.
"Madison, please. We need to talk."
"About what?"
"My mother has been telling me things."
I stopped walking.
"What things?"
His voice dropped.
"She says you have evidence that could put my father in prison."
I closed my eyes.
May you like
Nathan's next sentence made my stomach turn.
"And she says if you don't give it back, she'll reveal what happened to your mother before she died."
