Chapter 13 - A Disturbance in the Garden
The morning sun cast a peaceful glow over the manicured lawns of the Hamilton-Miller Estate. The crisp autumn air carried the scent of falling leaves and damp earth. Idan was running across the backyard, chasing a golden retriever puppy that Adam had gifted him to celebrate his return to normalcy.
Adam stood on the back porch, holding two mugs of coffee. He handed one to Clara as she walked up beside him, wrapping a warm woolen scarf around her neck.
"You're quiet this morning," Adam noted softly, watching her gaze drift toward the outer wrought-iron gates of the estate.
"I can't shake this strange feeling, Adam," Clara admitted, her brow furrowing slightly. "Ever since the trial ended, things have been so peaceful. Almost too peaceful. It feels like the calm before a storm."
Adam gently placed a hand over hers, his touch warm and grounding. "The storm is over, Clara. My mother is behind bars, her network of corrupt associates has scattered, and our legal team is fully protected. You are safe here. We are safe."
"I know," Clara whispered, though a cold shiver ran down her spine. "It's just... power like Margaret's doesn't vanish overnight. People like that always have contingency plans."
Before Adam could respond, a sharp, metallic screech echoed from the front gates. They both turned toward the driveway. A sleek, black unmarked sedan had pulled up directly in front of the main entrance. The tinted window rolled down halfway, revealing a man wearing dark sunglasses and a sharp suit. He didn't step out of the car; instead, he tossed a heavy manila envelope over the brick wall onto the cobblestone path before slamming the accelerator and speeding away.
Adam’s expression hardened. He handed his coffee to Clara, walked down the steps, and retrieved the envelope from the ground. He pulled out a single sheet of thick, cream-colored paper and scanned the printed text.
As he read, all the color drained from his face.
May you like
"What is it, Adam?" Clara asked, jogging down to meet him.
Adam lowered the paper, his hands trembling with a mix of fury and disbelief. "It's not from my mother," he said grimly. "It's from Harrison Vance. And he’s coming after everything we’ve built."
