Chapter 7: The Shadows We Inherit

The search for Rosalind began quietly. Clara knew she couldn't involve Marcus or Vivienne—not yet. Not until she was sure what this woman represented. She hired a private investigator under a fake name, gave him the photograph, and instructed him to start digging through old hospital employment records.

In the meantime, Clara kept playing the part of the heiress.

Her presence at the company grew. She was no longer just an observer at board meetings—she was the voice that shifted votes, challenged policies, and called out corruption.

Even Adam had started to respect her—reluctantly.

One evening, after a tense merger meeting, he caught her in the hallway.

"You're dangerous," he said. "People are listening to you."

"Is that a compliment?"

"A warning," he said. "This family chews up its own. You might be Lockwood by blood, but power? That's earned. And stolen."

She met his eyes. "I'm not afraid of being chewed up. I came back to bite."

He smirked. "You're starting to sound like me."

---

But while her position at the company grew stronger, threats from outside thickened.

Anonymous letters. Hacked emails. Messages warning her to "let sleeping ghosts lie."

Then came the break-in.

Her suite was ransacked while she was out at a company event. Nothing was stolen—only papers torn apart, drawers left open, and the photo of the unknown woman missing.

Marcus was furious. Security was tightened. But Clara knew.

This wasn't a robbery. It was a message.

Someone wanted her off this tra

il. And they were getting desperate.