CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY THREE - A GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE

Clarissa nodded, her earlier frustration replaced by a steely resolve. "Agreed. Uncle Sebastian, where should we begin?" Sebastian stroked his chin thoughtfully. "The most logical place would be my study. It's where I keep most of the family's important documents and artifacts. But we'll need to be careful – Natalia and the children will be watching our every move." As they prepared to leave the room, a sudden commotion in the hallway caught their attention. The sound of running footsteps and hushed, urgent voices drifted through the door. Sebastian's face paled. "It seems we may have less time than we thought. Come, quickly now. We must reach the study before Natalia realizes what we're up to." The trio slipped out of the room, their hearts pounding as they made their way through the winding corridors of the mansion. Every shadow seemed to hold a potential threat, every creaking floorboard a possible betrayal of their presence. As they rounded a corner, they came face to face wit