Chapter 8 - The Sealed Crate
Ten agonizing minutes passed. The high-society guests remained frozen in the grand hall, refusing to leave as the high-stakes drama unfolded before their eyes.
Heavy boots echoed from the lower corridor as Vance returned, accompanied by two security guards carrying a heavy wooden shipping crate bound with rusted iron straps.
They set the crate down on the polished marble floor directly in front of Julian, Rosa, and little Lily.
Vance pulled a crowbar from his belt and jammed it under the wood lid. With a sharp, splintering CRACK, the wooden top gave way, revealing rows of stolen high-value museum artifacts, forged bond certificates, and stacks of unreported offshore cash.
Beside the stolen goods sat Mateo's old leather work belt and brass flashlight—left behind in the rush two years ago.
Rosa gasped, covering her mouth as fresh tears spilled down her face. "Mateo's belt..."
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Julian looked at the belt, then slowly raised his eyes toward Caleb, his face turning into a mask of pure, unyielding rage.
👉 Where has Mateo been all this time, and is he still alive?
