Chapter 3: The Shadow of Secrets

Lankes stared at the man seated in his study, tension settling thickly in the room. The sunlight filtering through the window cast long shadows on the walls, but the visitor seemed unaffected by the warmth of the morning. His dark, tailored suit contrasted sharply with the old-world charm of the room, making him appear like an intruder in more ways than one.

"Lankes," the man repeated, his voice eerily calm. "We both know why I'm here."

The old man's grip on his cane tightened, his knuckles whitening. He hadn't seen this man in years, but the memory of their last encounter was as clear as if it had happened yesterday. Lankes wasn't easily rattled, but there was something about this visitor that brought the past flooding back in an unwelcome torrent.

"You're wasting your time, Julius," Lankes finally replied, his voice steady but laced with a simmering edge. "The Frianmes secret isn't something you'll get your hands on."

Julius's smile flickered, a subtle shift that revealed just how deeply he'd expected that answer. "Still as stubborn as ever, I see. But this isn't just about you anymore, Lankes. Times have changed. You can't keep clinging to the past while the world moves forward."

Lankes stepped closer, his cane tapping softly against the hardwood floor. "What do you know about the past?" His eyes narrowed. "You were never a part of this family, and you never understood what we built. What Frances and Liama sacrificed for."

Julius's eyes darkened, but he kept his composure. "It doesn't matter whether I understand or not. What matters is the secret your family has guarded for generations. You think it can stay hidden forever? Sooner or later, someone will uncover it—whether it's me or another."

For a moment, the air between them grew thick with tension. Lankes could feel the weight of Julius's words pressing down on him, but he wouldn't give in. Not to him. Not to anyone. He had spent his entire life protecting the legacy of his ancestors, and he wasn't about to let some slick-talking businessman undo all of that.

"You've forgotten one thing, Julius," Lankes said, his voice low. "Secrets have a way of protecting themselves. You may think you can force your way in, but some things aren't meant to be found. You'll be playing a dangerous game if you keep going down this path."

Julius rose from his chair, his movements smooth and deliberate. "I don't play games, Lankes. I get results. And whether you like it or not, I will uncover what you've been hiding. I'll be back—soon."

Without waiting for a reply, Julius turned and left the room, the door closing behind him with a soft click. Lankes remained still for a moment, listening to the fading footsteps. His mind raced. Julius's arrival was more than just a casual visit—it was a warning. A threat that the Frianmes family's greatest secret was closer to being exposed than ever before.

He sighed deeply, the weight of the years pressing down on his shoulders. The family's past had always been complicated, but now it seemed their future was under siege. Julius wasn't the first to come seeking the secret, but he was perhaps the most dangerous. He had the resources, the influence, and the patience to dig where others had failed.

The sound of footsteps snapped Lankes out of his thoughts. It was Mary, his wife, standing in the doorway with a concerned expression on her face. She had seen enough over the years to recognize when something was wrong.

"Who was that, Lankes?" she asked softly, stepping into the room.

"Julius," Lankes replied, sinking into his chair. "He's come looking for the secret again."

Mary's face tightened. "After all these years, he's still chasing that? What does he want with it?"

Lankes shook his head. "I don't know. But he's not going to stop. He's more determined than before. And this time..." He paused, glancing out the window where the children's laughter floated through the garden. "This time, I'm worried he might get too close."

Mary sat beside him, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "We'll protect them, Lankes. Just like we always have."

He looked at her, seeing the strength in her eyes that had always given him courage. "Yes. We have to." He paused, the thought nagging at him. "But the children... they deserve to know what's coming. They deserve to understand the weight of this legacy before it's too late."

Mary nodded slowly, understanding what he meant. "Are you sure?"

Lankes sighed, feeling the burden settle even heavier on his shoulders. "They need to know, Mary. They're the future of this family, and if Julius—or anyone else—gets too close, they need to be ready."

Mary didn't argue. She knew, deep down, that Lankes was right. The Frianmes family's history wasn't just a bedtime story. It was a story filled with sacrifice, secrets, and danger. And now, more than ever, those children needed to understand what was at stake.

Lankes stood, the fire in his eyes returning. "I'll tell them tonight. Everything. It's time they knew the truth."