Dawn arrived slowly. By the time sunlight filtered through the archive windows, Nathaniel had made a decision: he would not reveal anything until he possessed undeniable proof. Genevieve deserved certainty—not speculation, not assumptions: certainty.
Unfortunately, events began moving faster than any of them anticipated. Later that morning, Genevieve summoned Nathaniel and Charles to the library. The moment he entered, he knew something significant had happened: several documents covered the table; Genevieve stood beside them with an expression he had never seen before: shock mixed with determination.
"Someone entered the archives last night."
Charles immediately looked up. "What?"
Genevieve pointed toward an empty space on the table. "Three files are missing."
Nathaniel felt his stomach tighten. "Which files?"
"Bridge authorizations."
Silence settled heavily across the room. Charles frowned. "Only bridge records?"
"Only bridge records." Genevieve folded her arms. "Nothing else was touched."
The meaning became obvious immediately: someone knew the investigation was approaching the truth; someone was becoming desperate.
Nathaniel glanced toward the windows. "Who has access officially?"
Genevieve sighed. "Several senior staff members. My father. Victoria. Myself."
Charles exchanged a look with Nathaniel; neither spoke. The list was uncomfortable.
Genevieve noticed. "You are both thinking the same thing."
"What?" Charles asked carefully.
"That whoever removed those files knew exactly what they were looking for."
Nathaniel could not disagree. The theft eliminated any remaining doubt: the corruption surrounding the bridge was not ancient history; someone was still protecting it.
That afternoon, Genevieve made another decision—one that surprised everyone. "I want to speak with my father."
Charles looked uncertain. "Directly?"
"Yes." Her voice remained calm. "I have spent too much time avoiding difficult conversations."
Nathaniel studied her face. She looked nervous despite her composure, understandably so: Lord Carter had disappointed her repeatedly; yet part of her still hoped for answers, perhaps even support.
The meeting took place in Lord Carter's private study. Nathaniel remained outside; so did Charles. Neither had been invited. The closed door separated them from the conversation. Yet, even from the hallway, Nathaniel sensed the tension.
Nearly forty minutes passed before the door finally opened. Genevieve emerged first, her face pale. Lord Carter remained inside. Neither looked at the other.