Chapter 3 The Secret Beneath the Library

THE MAIDEN WHO INHERITED A SECRET EMPIRE

Chapter 3: The Secret Beneath the Library

"Miss Elena, give me that letter."

Richard's voice was unusually tense.

Elena looked up from the paper.

"Why? Do you know something about it?"

Richard glanced towards the hallway before closing the bedroom door.

"I think someone is trying to frighten you."

"Someone? Or someone who knows what happened to my father?"

He remained silent.

Elena folded the letter and placed it inside her pocket.

"Richard, I need the truth. My mother died without telling me everything. My father was murdered, and now someone is sending me mysterious messages. I'm tired of being kept in the dark."

Richard sighed.

"There are things about this family that even I don't fully understand. But I promise you one thing: I will do everything possible to protect you."

Elena stared at him.

"Can I trust you?"

Richard looked directly into her eyes.

"Your father trusted me with his life."

It wasn't exactly the answer she wanted, but she had no choice except to accept it for now.

Suddenly, footsteps approached the bedroom.

Richard quickly moved towards the door.

It opened before he could reach it.

Adrian stood outside with two security officers.

"Richard, I need to speak with my cousin."

Elena folded her arms.

"Since when did I become your cousin?"

Adrian smiled coldly.

"Since the lawyers confirmed that we share the same family blood."

He looked at Richard.

"Leave us."

Richard hesitated.

"Sir-"

"I said leave."

After a moment, Richard stepped outside.

Adrian entered and closed the door.

For several seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then Adrian walked towards the window.

"I heard someone broke into the mansion."

"Yes. I heard the noise too."

"Did you see anything suspicious?"

Elena shook her head.

"No."

Adrian turned around.

"You're lying."

She frowned.

"Excuse me?"

"I know you've been asking questions about your father. I also know Richard has been giving you access to documents that don't concern you."

Elena took a step forward.

"They concern me because he was my father."

Adrian chuckled.

"You've been here less than twenty-four hours, and you're already acting like you own everything."

"Because I do."

His smile disappeared.

"Be careful, Elena. Money and power can be dangerous things."

She met his gaze.

"Then perhaps you should be careful too."

For a moment, Adrian looked as though he wanted to say something else.

Instead, he walked towards the door.

"Enjoy your stay."

Before leaving, he turned back.

"One more thing. Stay away from the old library."

Elena's heart skipped.

She quickly hid her reaction.

"Why?"

"Because that section of the mansion is closed."

"What's inside?"

"Nothing that concerns you."

He left.

Elena stood motionless.

Adrian had just confirmed that the library was important.

And now she was more determined than ever to discover why.

---

11:45 PM - THE OLD LIBRARY

The mansion had finally become quiet.

Elena waited until she was certain everyone had gone to bed before leaving her room.

She wore a simple black sweater, trousers, and comfortable shoes.

The golden key was safely tucked inside her pocket.

She followed the hallway towards the eastern wing.

Unlike the rest of the mansion, this section looked abandoned. Dust covered the furniture, and several paintings hung crookedly on the walls.

At the end of the corridor stood a large wooden door.

The old library.

Elena tried the handle.

Locked.

She removed the golden key.

It fitted perfectly.

With a soft click, the door opened.

She stepped inside.

The room was enormous, filled with thousands of books. A large fireplace stood against the far wall, while an old wooden desk occupied the centre.

Elena switched on her phone flashlight.

"Where are you hiding, Dad?"

She searched behind the desk, checked the bookshelves, and examined the fireplace.

Nothing.

Then she noticed something unusual.

A painting of her father hung above the fireplace.

She approached it.

Alexander Blackwood looked handsome and confident in the portrait. But something about the painting caught her attention.

The eagle-and-crown symbol was engraved on the wooden frame.

Elena touched it.

A small section moved.

She pressed harder.

Suddenly, a hidden compartment opened.

Inside was a silver key and a small photograph.

Elena picked up the photograph.

It showed her father standing beside a beautiful young woman holding a baby.

The woman wasn't her mother.

On the back of the photograph were five handwritten words:

"The first daughter was never alone."

Elena stared at the picture.

"Who is this woman?"

Before she could examine it further, she heard a noise behind her.

Someone was inside the library.

She quickly turned.

A tall man stood near the entrance.

He wore a dark shirt, black trousers, and an expression that revealed nothing.

Elena recognised him immediately.

Julian Blackwood.

Adrian's younger brother.

He was known for avoiding family gatherings and rarely appeared at company events.

"What are you doing here?" Elena whispered.

Julian glanced at the open compartment.

"That's what I should be asking you."

Elena quickly hid the photograph behind her back.

"I couldn't sleep."

"At midnight? In a restricted library?"

She frowned.

"Are you planning to report me?"

Julian walked closer.

"That depends on what you've found."

"Nothing."

He looked at the silver key in her hand.

"Interesting. You call that nothing?"

Elena tightened her grip.

"Why should I trust you?"

Julian gave a faint smile.

"You shouldn't."

His answer surprised her.

He continued.

"My brother has spent years making sure nobody discovers what happened to your father. If he finds out you've opened that compartment, you'll be in serious trouble."

Elena's stomach tightened.

"You know what happened to him?"

Julian looked towards the portrait.

"I know enough to understand that his death wasn't an accident."

Elena stepped closer.

"Then tell me who killed him!"

Julian shook his head.

"Not here."

He reached into his pocket and removed a small card.

"Tomorrow. Eight o'clock. Come to the Blackwood Tower. Ask for me."

Elena accepted the card.

"Why are you helping me?"

Julian paused.

Then he looked at her with an expression she couldn't understand.

"Because your father saved my life once. And I owe him a debt."

Before Elena could ask another question, he walked out.

She looked down at the card.

JULIAN BLACKWOOD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BLACKWOOD GLOBAL

---

THE FOLLOWING MORNING

Elena entered the grand dining room wearing a simple cream blouse and black trousers.

Adrian was already seated at the head of the table.

Victoria sat beside him, scrolling through her phone.

Adrian glanced up.

"Good morning, cousin."

Elena ignored the sarcasm and took a seat.

A servant placed breakfast in front of her.

Victoria looked at Elena's clothes and smirked.

"Adrian, darling, shouldn't we arrange a proper wardrobe for our new family member?"

Adrian chuckled.

"Perhaps we should."

Elena continued eating.

Victoria leaned towards her.

"Don't misunderstand your position here, sweetheart. Having your father's shares doesn't mean everyone will accept you."

Elena placed her fork down.

"I didn't come here for acceptance."

"Then what do you want?"

"What belongs to me."

Victoria laughed.

Adrian suddenly received a phone notification.

He read it.

His expression changed immediately.

"What is it?" Victoria asked.

He turned the phone towards her.

A security alert showed that someone had accessed the old library the previous night.

Adrian slowly lifted his eyes towards Elena.

"Interesting."

Elena kept her expression neutral.

Adrian smiled.

"Someone has been very busy."

Then he leaned closer.

"Tell me something, Elena. Did you sleep well last night?"

She looked directly at him.

"Very well, thank you."

But beneath the dining table, her fingers tightened around Julian's business card.

She had discovered a secret.

And Adrian was beginning to suspect that she knew more than she should.

END OF CHAPTER 3