CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY EIGHT - TRUTH IN THE OPEN

Over the next hour, Marcus revealed a wealth of information that confirmed many of Mara and Clarissa's suspicions and added new, troubling details to Natalia's plot. He spoke of secret meetings Natalia had attended, correspondence he had intercepted, and overheard conversations that painted a damning picture of his stepmother's intentions. "She's been systematically isolating Father from his extended family," Marcus explained. "Planting seeds of doubt, manufacturing conflicts, all to ensure that she has complete control over him and the estate." Mara listened intently, her mind racing with the implications of Marcus's revelations. "But why are you telling me this now, Marcus? What changed?" Marcus's expression darkened. "I've watched her tear this family apart piece by piece. I've seen the pain in Father's eyes, even if he doesn't fully understand its source yet. And... I'm ashamed of the role I've played in all of this. Spreading those rumors about you and Clarissa... it was wrong.