Chapter 3 - The Burning Threat
Elizabeth dropped the phone, completely unable to process the massive betrayal.
Her husband of twenty years had secretly fathered a child with another woman.
She felt a profound, burning rage replacing the initial shock in her chest.
She wheeled herself aggressively out of the study and directly into Robert's home office.
Robert was sitting at his desk, reviewing new security protocols for the estate.
Elizabeth slammed the printed DNA results directly onto his expensive leather blotter.
She demanded to know how long he had been lying to her about his secret family.
Robert picked up the paper, his eyes scanning the medical jargon in complete confusion.
He looked at his furious wife and swore on his life that he had absolutely no idea.
He insisted he had never been unfaithful during their entire marriage.
Elizabeth refused to believe him, tears of anger streaming down her perfectly powdered cheeks.
She threatened to file for an immediate, highly publicized divorce.
She coldly stated she would take half of his company and destroy his public reputation.
Robert begged her to listen to reason and help him uncover the real truth.
He argued that someone was clearly framing him to tear their powerful family apart.
Before Elizabeth could respond, a massive crashing sound shattered the tense atmosphere.
A heavy object smashed violently through the floor-to-ceiling window of the office.
Shards of sharp glass rained down across the expensive Persian rug.
Robert rushed forward and pulled Elizabeth's wheelchair safely away from the dangerous debris.
He looked down at the object that had been thrown into his private sanctuary.
It was a large, jagged brick wrapped tightly in a piece of thick white canvas.
Robert carefully unwrapped the fabric, making sure not to cut his hands on the glass.
Painted on the canvas in stark, dripping red letters was a terrifying ultimatum.
The message ordered Robert to surrender the boy by midnight tomorrow.
If he refused to comply, Ellington Manor would be burned entirely to the ground.
Robert looked out the shattered window into the dark, expansive gardens.
He realized his vast wealth could not protect them from this invisible, ruthless enemy.
He turned to his wife, pleading with her to set aside her anger for just one more day.
He desperately needed her brilliant mind to help him save the innocent child.
Elizabeth stared at the threatening message, her fierce survival instincts finally kicking in.
She agreed to a temporary truce, but warned Robert that she would still leave him afterward.
Just as they formulated a plan, the office door slowly creaked open.
Little Sam stood in the hallway, holding his worn backpack and looking utterly terrified.
He whispered that he recognized the red paint on the terrifying canvas note.
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Sam confessed that the man chasing him had the exact same red ink tattooed across his neck.
Robert realized the boy had just identified their would-be assassin.
