Chapter 14 - The Ashes of the Estate and the Final Reckoning
The heavy iron gates of the Sterling estate swung open automatically as Julian’s black sedan sped up the long, winding gravel driveway.
It was past two in the morning, yet the massive, historic mansion loomed against the dark sky like a haunted fortress, lit only by the eerie, flickering orange glow of emergency lights.
As the car rounded the final bend of the drive, Evelyn gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in sheer horror.
Wisps of thick, gray smoke billowed from the second-story windows of the east wing, illuminated by the flashing red and blue lights of three fire trucks and two police cruisers parked haphazardly on the lawn.
"No..." Evelyn whispered, her heart dropping into her stomach.
Julian slammed the car into park before it had even fully stopped, killing the engine and throwing his door open into the chilly night air.
They sprinted across the gravel toward the front entrance, where a frantic firefighter was directing hoses toward the side of the mansion.
"What happened?!" Julian demanded, grabbing the arm of a senior police officer standing near the steps.
The officer turned, recognizing Julian immediately, and tipped his hat grimly.
"Mr. Sterling. We received an automated smoke alarm call from the east wing about twenty minutes ago," the officer reported quickly.
"It looks like arson. Someone intentionally set fire to the historical archive room on the second floor."
Evelyn’s breath caught in her throat.
The archive room.
Where the false history had been planted, where the dark secrets of the family had been kept for generations.
"Is anyone inside?!" Evelyn shouted over the roar of the rushing water and crackling flames.
"We pulled the domestic staff out safely," the officer replied.
"However... your husband, Arthur Sterling, was reportedly locked inside the east wing private study when the fire broke out. Our rescue team is trying to breach the heavy mahogany doors right now, but they're jammed from the inside."
Julian didn't hesitate for a single second.
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Without uttering a single word, he broke past the police barricade, ignoring the shouts of the officers, and sprinted straight up the grand stone steps and into the smoke-filled foyer of the burning mansion.
"Julian, wait!" Evelyn screamed, running frantically after him through the thick, acrid haze of smoke filling the lower hallway.
