Chapter 264

The wooden box had occupied that same corner of the shelf for two decades without incident.

Now it had vanished without a trace.

Dominic's blood ran cold when his searching hands found empty space where the heirloom should be.

He yanked every book from the third shelf, sending leather-bound volumes crashing to the study floor. The custom-built shelving unit was secured directly into the wall—no gaps, no crevices for anything to slip through.

Methodically, he combed through each discarded book, shaking them violently as if the missing item might materialize between pages. The shelf stood barren, yet the box remained stubbornly absent.

"Who dared?" His vision tinted crimson as fury surged through his veins. The study was his sanctum—no one entered without explicit permission.

A hazy memory surfaced—he'd glimpsed the box during inventory checks four weeks prior.

Snatching his phone, he barked orders to security. "Pull all surveillance footage from the past month! Someone breached my private study!"

The head of security stammered. "Right away, Mr. Blackwood!"

"Deploy every available analyst to review the recordings immediately!" Dominic commanded, his pulse hammering against his ribs.

Mrs. Wilkins nearly dropped the teacup when she guided Sophia into the parlor and encountered Dominic's thunderous expression.

"Sir? What's happened?"

"My study has been violated," he ground out between clenched teeth.

The housekeeper's hand flew to her mouth.

"Compile a complete visitor log for the past thirty days. I want it on my desk within the hour." Without waiting for acknowledgment, he took Sophia's delicate hand and escorted her upstairs.

The young woman flinched at his uncharacteristic roughness.

Once inside her pastel-hued bedroom, Dominic knelt to her eye level. "Sophia, darling, have you visited my study recently?"

Wide blue eyes blinked in confusion before she shook her head.

"It's alright, sweetheart. Just checking." When she remained silent, he added gently, "Would you help me find something important?"

A tremulous smile curved her lips. "Like hide-and-seek?"

"Exactly like that." He guided her to sit on the lace-covered bed.

Sophia's fingers twisted in her skirt. "I didn't take it..."

"I know, precious." He smoothed her honey-blonde hair, heart constricting at her distress. Sophia's cognitive delays made her painfully vulnerable—another reason he'd dedicated millions to neurological research.

Forcing calm into his voice, he changed tactics. "Your birthday approaches. Tell me what would make you happiest this year."

The tension melted from her shoulders. After prolonged consideration, she whispered, "I want Henry to play tea party with me."

Dominic's jaw tightened. The request involving Evelyn's son complicated matters, but he'd move heaven and earth for his sister's smile. "Consider it done."

Mrs. Wilkins appeared with a parchment list just as he stood.

"The visitor log awaits in your study, sir. Shall I prepare Sophia's evening tonic?"

Nodding curtly, Dominic stalked toward his domain.

Familiar names filled the page, but five stood out: Zoe Montgomery, Evelyn Thorne, Lucas Grant, Henry Thorne, and Lily Thorne. All had accessed the mansion during the critical timeframe.

His fountain pen hovered over Evelyn's name first. Without hesitation, he drew a decisive line through it. Some unshakable instinct—deeper than logic—told him the fiery entrepreneur would never steal from him. The certainty felt as intrinsic as breathing.

Next came Lucas Grant. Dominic scoffed. His CFO had been physically restrained in the foyer by security during their last confrontation. No possibility of him reaching the study.

The remaining three names made his grip tighten around the pen. Someone would pay dearly for this transgression.