Chapter 4 - The Woman in the NurseryAdrian ran.
Maria followed despite the pain in her shoulder.
Vanessa stayed downstairs.
That mattered.
The nursery door was open.
Oliver’s crib was empty.
Adrian’s heart stopped.
“Oliver!”
Then he heard a soft cry from the walk-in closet.
He opened it.
Housekeeper Rosa sat on the floor holding the baby.
Her face was wet with tears.
“I’m sorry.”
Adrian took Oliver.
“What happened?”
“Someone came in through the service hall.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know.”
Rosa had heard footsteps.
Then the nursery door opened.
She panicked, grabbed Oliver, and hid.
Maria checked the service corridor.
A window at the end stood open.
Adrian called security.
Vanessa appeared behind them.
“What now?”
Adrian turned on her.
“Someone entered my son’s room.”
She looked genuinely surprised.
That confused him.
Security footage showed a man in a maintenance uniform entering through a side gate.
His face was hidden.
But Maria recognized the walk.
“Luis.”
Adrian looked at her.
“Who?”
“Vanessa’s driver.”
Vanessa stared.
“I fired Luis three months ago.”
“Why?” Adrian asked.
“He stole.”
“From you?”
“Yes.”
Maria shook her head.
“Elena knew him.”
Vanessa’s face hardened.
The intruder had not taken Oliver.
Instead, investigators found the crib mattress lifted.
The USB drive was no longer on the table downstairs.
Someone had taken it during the panic.
Adrian stared at Vanessa.
She raised both hands.
“I was here.”
True.
Then Maria noticed her purse.
Open.
Inside was a second USB drive.
Identical.
Vanessa saw it too.
Her face drained.
“That is not mine.”
Adrian pulled it out.
A label was taped to the side.
ELENA — COPY 2.
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Someone had planted it in Vanessa’s bag.
Or she had been carrying it all along.
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