CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY THREE - FACES FROM THE PAST

Cassius set the letter down, a proud smile on his face. "You two have done incredible work. I can't thank you enough for taking this on." He stood up and walked to his desk, pulling out a checkbook. "I want to make sure you have everything you need for this quest. I'm crediting each of you with half a million dollars. Use it for travel, expenses, whatever you need." Mara and Clarissa exchanged shocked glances. "Cassius, that's... that's too much," Mara protested. Cassius waved off her objection. "Nonsense. This heirloom is priceless to our family. And more importantly, I trust you both to use it wisely. Consider it an investment in our family's history." Clarissa hugged her brother tightly. "Thank you, Cassius. We won't let you down." With their newfound resources, Mara and Clarissa set off for Chicago, following a lead they had uncovered about a pawn shop mentioned in one of the old Noble family documents. The shop, nestled in a gritty part of the city, looked like it had seen be