Chapter 4 - The Hidden RoomWhat Clara Found Behind the Library
The next day, the courthouse was packed.
The prosecution declared that the photograph of Clara holding the emerald was the central piece of evidence.
Daniel had prepared an argument about manipulation.
But before he could present it, Margaret made a surprising move.
She announced that the family would withdraw its request for immediate sentencing.
Instead, she wanted a private settlement.
Clara refused.
"I want the truth."
Margaret smiled coldly.
"You have no idea what truth you are asking for."
The words haunted Clara.
That night, Daniel returned to the mansion's property records.
"The hidden room doesn't appear on any floor plan."
"Could it be part of the old architecture?"
"Maybe."
"Then how do we find it?"
Daniel looked at Clara.
"You know that house better than anyone."
She thought about the library.
There had always been a strange wall behind the bookcase.
She remembered Margaret once warning her never to move a particular cabinet.
Clara returned to the mansion after midnight.
She had no intention of stealing anything.
She only wanted to look.
The service entrance was unlocked.
Inside, the house was silent.
She moved through the kitchen and reached the library.
Her hands were trembling.
She pushed the cabinet.
It moved.
Behind it was a narrow wooden door.
Clara stared.
Idan had told the truth.
The brass key fit.
The lock clicked.
The door opened.
A stale smell filled the room.
Inside was a tiny chamber.
There were boxes.
Documents.
Old photographs.
A metal filing cabinet.
And on the table, a red velvet jewelry case.
Clara opened it.
Inside was the Hamilton Emerald.
Her breath caught.
She had found the missing necklace.
But then she saw something else.
A stack of bank documents.
All bearing the name Margaret Hamilton.
Payments.
Transfers.
Secret accounts.
And one repeated recipient.
Elias Carter.
Clara did not know the name.
She searched further.
There were medical records.
Private investigator reports.
DNA test results.
Then she found a folder labeled:
IDAN HAMILTON
Her fingers shook as she opened it.
The first document was a birth certificate.
Father: Adam Hamilton.
Mother: Rachel Hamilton.
But attached behind it was a genetic report.
The words at the bottom were clear.
Probability of paternity: 0.00%
Clara stared.
Adam was not Idan's biological father.
She turned the page.
Another name appeared.
Elias Carter.
The same man who had received Margaret's secret payments.
Clara felt sick.
Someone had entered the room.
She heard footsteps.
She quickly switched off the light.
The door creaked.
Margaret entered.
Clara pressed herself against the wall.
Margaret walked directly toward the table.
She opened the red velvet box.
Her fingers touched the emerald.
Then she whispered:
"Tomorrow, everything ends."
Clara held her breath.
Margaret picked up a phone.
"Yes," she said.
"No, Adam cannot know yet."
A pause.
"The maid will take the blame."
Clara's blood ran cold.
Margaret continued.
"And once the trial is over, the child will be transferred."
Transferred.
Clara's mind raced.
Transferred where?
Then Margaret said the sentence that changed everything.
"Idan cannot stay in this house after he learns who his real father is."
Clara nearly gasped.
Margaret turned.
She had heard something.
The old woman slowly looked toward the wall.
Clara slipped through a second doorway hidden behind the shelving.
She crawled through a narrow maintenance passage and emerged inside the laundry room.
She escaped through the back door.
But as she ran into the darkness, she heard Margaret shouting:
"Someone was in here!"
Clara did not stop.
She reached Daniel's office and slammed the documents onto his desk.
He read the first page.
Then another.
His face became pale.
"This is much bigger than the necklace."
Clara nodded.
"Daniel."
He looked up.
"I think Margaret framed me because she needed me out of the house."
"Why?"
Clara placed the DNA report on the table.
"Because she is hiding Idan's real father."
Daniel stared at the document.
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Then he whispered:
"And whoever Elias Carter is, he may still be alive."
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