Chapter 17 - Echoes in the Courtyard
Spring turned steadily into the warm, golden haze of early summer. The estate gardens were in full bloom, bursting with white hydrangeas and crimson roses that perfumed the evening breeze.
I sat on the stone patio with a glass of iced lemonade, reviewing the preliminary blueprints for our new sustainable logistics hub in Zurich. Beside me, Lily—now nearly eight months old—was crawling enthusiastically across a padded outdoor playmat, chasing a squeaky plush duck with intense determination.
My father was resting inside the study, his health finally stabilizing after months of high-stress corporate warfare. For the first time in years, the Harlow estate felt like a home rather than a fortress.
Then, the front security intercom buzzed softly.
I paused, lifting my eyes from the architectural blueprints. Visitors were rare without prior appointment, and our security protocols required all guests to clear three separate checkpoints before reaching the main gates.
I tapped my wrist communicator, connecting directly to the main gate guard station.
"Report," I said evenly.
"Ms. Harlow, apologies for the interruption," the head security guard’s voice crackled through the speaker. "We have an individual at the outer gate claiming to be an immediate family member requesting a brief audience.
My eyebrows furrowed. "Who?"
"Evelyn Vance, ma'am. Daniel Vance’s mother."
The name hung in the warm summer air like a foul odor. I hadn't thought of Evelyn Vance since the day her son was arrested and her suburban ranch was foreclosed upon under the primary trust agreement.
"Did you check her credentials? Why is she here?" I asked, my voice dropping to a cool, guarded register.
"She arrived on public transit, ma'am. She looks... rough. She claims she has documents regarding Daniel’s legal appeal, and insists she needs to speak with you directly about your daughter.
A cold spike of protectiveness flared in my chest. "Deny entry immediately. Escort her off the property perimeter or call local law enforcement for trespassing.
"Wait—please, Claire! Just five minutes!" a raspy, desperate voice suddenly broke through the guard’s microphone, followed by static as Evelyn apparently grabbed the station handset. "I know you hate me! I know what Daniel did! But please... it’s about his father’s medical history! It concerns the baby!"
I stared at the intercom speaker for a long, silent moment. Medical history? Daniel’s father had passed away decades ago from a congenital heart condition—a fact Daniel had casually mentioned during our early dating years before I knew anything about his fabricated background.
What could Evelyn possibly want after all this time?
"Escort her to the western garden pavilion," I instructed the guard coldly. "Do not let her near the main house. I’ll meet her there in five minutes."
May you like
"Understood, Ms. Harlow."
I handed Lily over to Mrs. Higgins with a gentle instruction to take her inside, smoothed down my linen sundress, and walked slowly across the stone paths toward the secluded western pavilion.
