Chapter 7 - The Search and the Secret
Lily knew she had to act quickly but cautiously.
Evelyn’s schedule was still busy, so Lily waited until she left for her weekly spa treatment.
Her heart hammered in her chest as she entered her stepmother’s massive walk-in closet, the site of the initial confrontation.
The air was thick with expensive perfume and dust.
She searched carefully, moving through the racks of designer dresses, looking for anything out of place.
She checked hat boxes, shoeboxes, and under the floorboards she could lift.
Nothing.
Frustrated, she almost gave up, but as she was leaving, she tripped on the rug.
She fell forward, and her hand struck the base of a large floor mirror.
A panel popped loose.
Inside the hidden compartment was a collection of jewelry and a series of foreign bank statements under a name Lily didn't recognize: Elara Thorne.
Lily’s breath caught in her throat.
The bank statements showed massive transfers to an offshore account in the Caymans.
And there was the missing necklace.
She had it.
Proof.
Lily heard the front door open downstairs.
Evelyn was back early.
Panic set in.
She hastily replaced the panel and the rug, barely managing to slip out of the closet and into the hallway before Evelyn appeared at the top of the stairs.
Evelyn stared at her, suspicious.
"What are you doing up here, Lily?"
"I was... looking for my favorite sweater."
"You don't wear sweaters this expensive."
Evelyn eyed her carefully, the predatory glint returning to her eyes.
But Lily had something now.
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She had evidence of Evelyn’s deception.
The game had just changed.
