The Ghost Of Riverton Manor

Zurich looked like a postcard, clean, still and silent. But Bella didn't have time to admire the mountains or the perfect streets.She felt like a ghost haunting the city, invisible and insignificant in the face of its perfect beauty.

Every footstep sounded too loud. Every face too familiar.

She wasn't here as a tourist.

She was here to open a box that could destroy powerful people.

And possibly get her killed.

---

The bank was discreet. No signs, no flashy windows. Just cold marble walls and two stone-faced security guards at the door.

Inside, she gave up the key, barely flinching as her fingers released it.

The woman behind the desk gave her an affirmative nod before disappearing through a side door. A moment later, Bella was led downstairs.

Underground, the air was more cool and silent . Her heartbeat could be heard through the silence. The vault door was strong, old, and unbreakable, resembling something from a film.

She signed one document.

Then the woman left her alone.

The box was smaller than she had imagined.

But inside in the box,

Papers. Hard drives. A passport. A phone. A small leather-bound notebook.

Bella flipped through the pages.

Names, Dates and Amounts.

It was worse than she had thought.

Emily hadn't just tracked illegal funding, she had evidence tying Lang to political bribes, military contracts, even assassinations. And not just Lang.

Ten other names.

All protected. All powerful.

And at the very bottom, paper-clipped separately, was a letter.

Addressed to Isabella Marie Rowan.

Her throat tightened.

She opened it.

> If you're reading this, I'm gone. That means you were braver than I ever gave you credit for. You found your way here. You trusted your gut. And now, you have a choice.

Bella's eyes stung as she read the letter, Emily's words searing themselves into her mind.

Burn this. Walk away. Live your life.

Or publish it. Risk everything. But give the truth a chance.

Whatever you choose, I love you.

Emily.

Bella wiped her eyes.

She looked around the cold, empty vault, the air thick with tension.

But she wasn't alone. Not really.

---

She walked out of the vault with the notebook in her jacket and the drive in her pocket.

Outside, she didn't see Mason but she saw Monroe.

He was waiting in a black car by the corner.

She crossed the street like she hadn't noticed him.

His window rolled down.

"I figured you'd come," he said.

"I figured you'd betray me."

Monroe smiled tightly. "We both figured right."

Behind him, Mason sat in the back seat.

Alive. But his face looked stormy.

For a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of uncertainty.

"She came alone," Monroe said to him. "Didn't even bring a knife."

"She brought something better," Mason said, eyes locked on Bella.

Bella took a deep breath.

"Are you with him?" she asked Mason.

He looked at her.

"I was never with him."

And with that, Mason opened the door and stepped out.

Gun drawn.

Pointed at Monroe.