dating and overwhelming. His cold gaze pierced through her as if trying to unrave

her voice, "I didn't know your fathe

in. "So you just magically appeared on my father's will as his sole heir, inheriting

t like a slap. She glanced at Olivia, hoping for some guidance, bu

her voice trembling. "I received a letter. That's all I k

Especially considering my father was a very car

"Mr. Hartman, I understand your concerns, but the will is legally binding. I can assure yo

instead, he turned his back to them, walking over to the massive window tha

muttered, barely loud

to play. Why had Edward Hartman left her everything? What could possibly connect her to a man

mach twist. "You may have the papers, but don't think for a second that y

swinging behind him. The silence that followed was deafening. Elena's hands

all, understanding smile. "It's a lot to

a mix of fear and confusion. "He looked like he

did, though he was often very private about his personal affairs. But Daniel has worked alongside his father for

the situation. She felt trapped, caught between

arely above a whisper. "I'm not cut out for t

at a time. I'm here to help you navigate this. The first thing you need to do is move into the estat

ked. "Move

stipulates that you must live at the estate for at least on

d. "I have a life, a job-I can'

a new life. You can't afford to hesitate. There's more at stake here than just money. The Hartman legac

e this new world? It felt impossible, but at the same time, she couldn't ignore the weight of what she had stumbl

quietly. "I'll do

"Good. I'll have the staf

s. "Wait," she said suddenly. "Do you know why Mr. Hartman

eyes. "I'm afraid I don't have the answer to that. Edward was a private man. He didn't share the

d a man she had never met leave her everything? And why did Olivi

else, Olivia excused herself, leav

-helped her settle into her new room, a lavish suite that felt more like a hotel than a home. S

t eerily quiet, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she didn't belong. She passed by portraits

as slightly ajar, and a strange sense of curiosity pulled her inside. The room was just as i

e as she tried to imagine the man who had worked here. What kind

neatly organized files and papers. Intrigued, she knelt down and examined it closer.

metal near the edge of the desk. She reached for it, her heart racing,

g. With a soft click, the drawer slid open, revealing a single object inside

t nearly

? Her fingers shook as she lifted the letter fr

he words blurry at first, but as sh

things you must discover on your own first. Trust no one-not even those closest to you. Everything I did was for a reaso

over and over again. Protect what I've left in y

tter and slipped it into her pocket, h

her. Elena spun around to see the sha

stepped forward, and the low, famil

said, his expression unreadable. "And you d