CHAPTER FIFTY SIX – HIDDEN TREASURE

It was Brad who discovered the hidden room. As he leaned against a bookshelf, it suddenly swung inward, revealing a small, secret chamber beyond. "Oh my god," Caitlin gasped as they crowded into the room. "Look at all this stuff!" The room was filled with old photographs, letters, and various knick-knacks. Dust-covered frames held sepia-toned images of stern-faced men and women in Victorian dress. As they began to rifle through the items, a debate broke out among the group. "These must be worth a fortune," Brad said, holding up an ornate pocket watch. "We should take some of this stuff with us." "Are you crazy?" Mara interjected. "That would be stealing!" Clarissa rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, Mara. It's not like anyone's using this stuff. It's just gathering dust here." "But it's part of the house's history," Tiffany argued. "It should stay here. Maybe we could contact the historical society or something?" As the argument heated up, Mara's phone buzzed. It was a text from the