Chapter 5 - Shadows of the Past
Three days later, the Vance estate in Westchester stood like a fortress against the howling snowstorm outside. Surrounded by towering stone walls and state-of-the-art security, the manor was warm, but the atmosphere inside was tense.
Lily sat in the vast library, staring out at the snow covering the manicured lawns. For three days, she had been given everything a child could ever want: warm clothes, delicious meals, a bedroom larger than any apartment she had ever seen. Yet, she kept her shoes tied tightly on her feet and her bag packed beside her bed every night. Trust was a luxury she couldn't afford.
Arthur walked into the library carrying two mugs of warm tea. He sat down in the leather chair across from her, placing a thick paper file on the table between them.
"My private investigators have been busy, Lily," Arthur said gently. "Not just looking into Victoria... but looking into you."
Lily’s head snapped toward him, her body instantly going rigid. "I haven't done anything wrong! I didn't steal anything!"
"I know you didn't," Arthur said quickly, his voice full of compassion. "Lily... I know who your parents were."
Lily swallowed hard, her fingers clutching the arms of her chair. "My mom died when I was six. My dad... he died two years ago."
"Your father was David Miller," Arthur said softly, opening the file. "He was a lead structural engineer. Three years ago, he worked for a subsidiary company owned by Victoria’s family firm. He filed a whistleblower lawsuit claiming that Victoria’s firm was using sub-standard steel in public housing projects. A month after he filed that report... his credentials were revoked, his assets were frozen under false fraud charges, and your family lost everything."
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Tears pricked the corners of Lily's eyes, hot and angry. "They took our house. They called my dad a criminal. He died trying to clear his name, leaving me with nothing!"
"Your father was an honorable man, Lily," Arthur said, his eyes shining with deep emotion. "Victoria destroyed your family to protect her profits, just like she tried to destroy my son to steal my company. You and Ethan... you are both victims of the same greed."
