Chapter 26 - Ashcroft Manor
Rain covered the countryside as the convoy approached the abandoned Ashcroft Estate.
From the outside, the enormous stone mansion appeared deserted.
Broken windows.
Collapsed balconies.
Overgrown gardens.
Yet Thomas immediately shook his head.
“Don't let appearances fool you.”
Daniel noticed fresh tire tracks leading through the front gate.
Several expensive black vehicles had arrived only hours earlier.
Victor stopped the SUV behind a line of trees.
“This place has underground garages.”
Melissa looked through binoculars.
“At least fifteen guards.”
Daniel studied the estate.
“No cameras.”
Thomas smiled faintly.
“That means they're using something older.”
“What?”
“Human observation.”
He pointed toward several upper windows.
Curtains moved for only a second.
Someone inside had already noticed them.
Eleanor quietly walked toward the rusted front gate.
“This house belonged to the first Chairman of the Circle.”
“How do you know?”
“I remember.”
Another memory had returned.
Large meetings.
Secret votes.
Children playing in the gardens while powerful adults decided the futures of entire families.
Her expression darkened.
“I brought Daniel here once.”
Daniel looked shocked.
“I've never been here.”
“You were only three years old.”
She remembered hiding him inside the kitchen while pretending he was the child of a servant.
Back then she already feared the Circle would someday claim him.
Suddenly every light inside the mansion switched on simultaneously.
The front doors slowly opened.
An elderly but perfectly dressed man stepped onto the entrance stairs.
Silver hair.
Black cane.
Impeccable posture.
Thomas immediately recognized him.
“Harold Ashcroft.”
Daniel frowned.
“I thought he died years ago.”
Harold smiled across the rain.
“Many people have.”
He slowly applauded.
May you like
“Well done reaching my home.”
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