Julian stared at the key in his hand as memories of his father rushed through his mind all at once.
His father had died suddenly, leaving behind a massive estate worth millions of dollars and a large real estate firm.
When the original will was read, it claimed that Julian was to share everything equally with a hidden business trust.
Gwen had come into his life shortly after his father's funeral, offering comfort and helping manage his personal schedule.
They got engaged three months later, but Julian always felt like something about her story did not fully add up.
Now, standing in his own sunny hallway, the pieces of the puzzle were finally starting to fall into place.
"Where did you get this key, Gwen?" Julian asked, his voice deathly quiet and filled with betrayal.
"Julian, please, you have to listen to me! That maid is trying to frame me!" Gwen pleaded desperately.
She took a step toward him, reaching out her manicured hands to grab his black suit jacket.
Julian stepped back, avoiding her touch as if she were a total stranger standing in his home.
"You said my father's desk was locked because the keys were lost during the house renovation," Julian said.
"You told me to stop looking for his personal papers because it was too painful for me to process."
Sarah stood up slowly, using the wall for support as the cold water dripped down her wet uniform.
"The safe is inside the library behind the large portrait of your grandfather, sir," Sarah chimed in.
"I saw Ms. Gwen trying to slide this exact key into the hidden keyhole behind the canvas two nights ago."
Gwen turned around and glared at Sarah with pure hatred burning in her bright eyes.
"Shut your mouth, you foolish girl! You don't know anything about this family or our business!"
"That is enough!" Julian roared, his powerful voice shaking the glass doors of the front entrance.
The echo died down, leaving an intense silence hanging over the wet marble foyer.
Julian walked straight past Gwen toward the grand library down the main hallway of the estate.
Gwen rushed behind him, her high heels clicking rapidly against the polished floorboards as she tried to catch up.
Sarah pulled off her damp rubber gloves and followed at a safe distance to see the truth revealed.
They entered the quiet library where tall wooden bookshelves stretched all the way up to the ornate ceiling.
Julian walked straight to the back wall where a massive oil painting of his grandfather hung in a gilded frame.