Under the Heiress' Facade

The ground before the bronze door was paved with concrete and adorned with a mosaic of black-and-white tiles forming the Wheel of the Year. They had excavated such an ample space within the mountain and even installed a bronze door. She considered if it could have been a tomb or something else entirely.

Hera approached the ancient bronze door, its surface weathered with time. On either side, the guardians Michael and Gabriel were engraved, though their forms were obscured beneath a layer of dust.

In the center, a lock shaped like the letter "H" was covered in dust.

Below it, a T-shaped keyhole hinted that it could be unlocked with the correct key, though Hera knew it wouldn't be so straightforward. Even with the correct key, a labyrinth lock would require precise alignment of internal mechanisms.

The challenge of deciphering such a secretive lock intrigued Hera, almost tempting her to attempt it then and there. But the timing wasn't right. She needed to leave first.

With her flashlight, she scanned the area and spotted what seemed like a hidden passage to her right. As she moved closer, her foot suddenly caught on something.

Moving her foot to the side and shining her flashlight on the ground, Hera discovered a black pearl earring nestled between two white ceramic tiles. It was about the size of a thumbnail.

The earring seemed oddly familiar. She picked it up and noticed its rusty hook, suggesting it had been there for some time.

Hera recalled crafting a pair of black pearl earrings for Daphne when she was five. It was a Mother's Day gift she had proudly shown to Lucius and Daphne.

The memory stuck with Hera because she had pricked her finger while drilling the hole for the pearl and had bled quite a bit.

She hadn't dared to tell Daphne and Lucius, but Bernard had come to her rescue as he helped her handle the injury and even finish crafting the earrings.

In the end, those earrings became their joint gift for Daphne.

Hera remembered how Daphne used to wear those earrings with such joy. But after a business trip, Hera never saw her wearing them again. She once asked Daphne about them, and Daphne had regretfully admitted to losing one.

Hera fiddled with the black pearl earring and struggled to recall its original appearance fully.

She considered the possibility that that Daphne had visited here years ago.

Glancing back at the bronze door,

Hera resolved to return again. Next time, she'd be better prepared for further investigation. Then, she

tucked the black pearl earring

her pocket and continued down the hidden passage.

The passage ascended like a staircase but was unevenly constructed. Hera could glimpse a faint glimmer of light from above, accompanied by a draft of wind, hinting at an exit.

Without hesitation, Hera hurried

upward. But midway, her flashlight flickered twice and then died, engulfing her in night's darkness. Hera felt her forehead grow cold with sweat.

"It's fine... Don't panic... Keep climbing... Keep climbing..." Hera murmured to herself, pushing forward.

She couldn't afford to stop now. Daphne's killer remained at large, Lucius' name needed clearing, and Bernard's steak was still in her mind.

With each step, Hera repeated these thoughts to herself. With her eyes tightly shut, she forced her trembling limbs to press onward.

It felt like an eternity, but Hera finallyRêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

reached the opening, drenched in cold sweat. As she collapsed at the edge, she panted heavily, and her limbs trembled uncontrollably.

Then, a low growl echoed in the darkness. Hera's eyes snapped open to find dozens of eyes glowing with an eerie green light fixed upon her.