Page 85 of Bliss with a Billionaire

The words sent a chill snaking down her spine. After everything they’d been through, she assumed Lydia’s death would free them, but it seemed she’d sent one last blow for them to deal with. Her heart dropped as she wondered if it had to do with the information Lydia had revealed to her before the fire.

She was still seeking information on that front, and she’d prefer not to put it in Grant’s mind unless it had merit.

Her eyes widened as she scanned the page, searching for the gist of the note. It instructed him to open the box first.

A knot tightened in Julia’s stomach, the anticipation of the box’s contents sending a shiver down her spine as she imagined the myriad of possibilities hidden within.

With cautious precision, Grant peeled away the brown paper shroud to unveil an old key, the room’s dim light making it glow. The intricately designed bow featured a labyrinth of fine engravings depicting illustrations of power and wealth.

Grant,

Behold the key to my kingdom, a realm far beyond your reach, but now yours to bear. But beware, this is no gift. It’s a chain that will bind you to the fate that I must have fallen prey to since you are holding this note.

You thought yourself a conqueror, but you highly overestimated your value. This key unlocked my power, and allowed me to begin my journey to ruin you. A journey that seems to have been cut short.

Let this key be a reminder of the war we waged, a war that will now come to your doorstep with more vengeance thanI ever could. My enemies will ensure that you are destroyed. They will finish what I could not.

This key will be your doom. I sent it to you not in defeat, but as the architect of your undoing. You will be hunted. And you will finally meet your end. Know in those final moments, that it was I who crafted your downfall with every scorned breath. I will be awaiting you in Hell.

In eternal contempt,

Lydia

As Julia poured over Lydia’s venomous words, a storm of thoughts raged within her. Her mind whirled with questions as she shifted her gaze from the scathing note to the enigmatic key.

Grant reached for it, but she blocked his hand. “Wait. Don’t touch it. It could be a trap.”

Grant exhaled a weary sigh, his frustration evident. “One final trap set by a woman who can’t let it go. This is ridiculous.”

He shoved the note back into its envelope and tossed it down onto the key in the box. “She really can’t resist twisting the knife one final time, can she?”

Julia grabbed the envelope and tugged the note free, reading it again.

“Let it go, Julia. There’s no truth in any of this. This is Lydia trying to have one final taunt.”

Julia scanned the words again, something not sitting right with her about them. A flash lit the room as Alex snapped a picture of it.

“Hey,” Grant said, “what are you doing?”

“Documenting. We have no idea what this could be,” Alex said.

“It’s nothing.” Grant grabbed the note from Julia and tossed it in the box. He shoved it toward Worthington. “Get rid of this. I never want to see it again. Lydia’s gone. Her little games are over.”

“Yes, sir,” Worthington said with a nod.

Julia stared after him as he disappeared from the room.

“Now, let’s do something proactive and review this footage, shall we?” Grant asked, his tone clipped with annoyance.

“Right.” Julia nodded, her voice tentative. “Yes, let’s do that.”

“Julia, put that ridiculous note out of your mind. It’s just Lydia being Lydia. Like when she showed up on our vacation or decided to live here,” Grant said.

“You’re right,” she answered as Alex passed her an open laptop. “Here’s footage of the traffic camera on the street fronting her place. See if you notice parties of interest.”

She settled in an armchair as Grant dragged another over next to her. They scanned the footage, not finding anyone of interest coming or going. After over an hour, she sighed as she shook her head. “Nothing.”

“Try the other feed. There’s one with a really tiny view of a back door there. It’s just barely on the screen but you may find something.”