Dangers in my Heart

Chapter 5

Jennie's POV

Afternoon sunlight filtered through the wide glass windows of my father's office, casting long shadows over the immaculate desk he once occupied. For the past couple of weeks, I had searched relentlessly, my every free moment consumed by the hunt for that elusive blue folder. I'd combed through drawers, cabinets, even the hidden compartments my father was fond of, but still—nothing.

It was starting to feel like a ghost, something that existed in my father's mind but left no tangible trace. I couldn't shake the thought that it had to mean something. Why else would Henry, my father's closest confidante, bring it up during the reading of his will?

What I had found, however, were numerous documents linking my father to Lisa Manoban. Her name appeared frequently, stamped on contracts, invoices, and building plans. There were annotations, too—my father's distinct, meticulous handwriting. Each note carried a sense of urgency and caution, as though he'd been walking a tightrope.

But why Lisa Manoban? Was she connected to his death? Was she the cause? Or maybe... the reason?

I didn't know. And it was this uncertainty that gnawed at me, a persistent whisper in my ear urging me to dig deeper.

Sitting at my father's desk, I let out a sigh, the weight of the past weeks pressing down on my shoulders. Frustration threatened to boil over, but I pushed it aside. My father was a methodical man—if he wanted me to find something, there was no way he would leave it in plain sight.

Finally, my gaze fell on a single key resting in the center drawer. It wasn't unfamiliar to me. I'd seen it many times before, but now it took on new significance. The warehouse.

It wasn't far from here, a property my father rarely spoke of but seemed to visit often, judging by the logs in his calendar. I grabbed my bag and stood, the leather strap slung over my shoulder as determination settled in my chest.

"Frederic," I called out as I stepped into the hallway. My voice echoed against the walls of the empty office.

Moments later, Frederic appeared, his ever-reliable demeanor intact. "Yes, Miss Kim?"

"Get the car ready," I said, glancing down at the key in my hand. "We're going to the warehouse."

He nodded without question, disappearing to make the arrangements.

As I waited, I felt a strange mix of anticipation and unease. This wasn't just another errand; it felt like the beginning of something larger, something I couldn't quite define yet.

Frederic pulled up to the front of the building in my father's sleek black sedan. I slipped into the backseat, gripping the key tightly as I gave him the address. The ride was silent, save for the soft hum of the engine and the occasional honk from the bustling city streets.

The warehouse wasn't too far, tucked away in a less-traveled part of town. As we approached, the towering metal structure came into view, its façade weathered by years of exposure. My stomach twisted in a knot.

"Wait here," I told Frederic as the car came to a stop. He gave me a hesitant look, but I reassured him with a nod.

Stepping out, the crunch of gravel beneath my heels echoed in the quiet surroundings. I stood for a moment, staring at the warehouse door, a towering slab of rusted steel. The key in my hand felt heavier than it should.

"Alright," I murmured to myself, taking a steadying breath before walking forward.

The air was thick with dust and the faint scent of oil. I inserted the key into the lock, feeling the mechanism click into place. With a creak, the door swung open, revealing the shadowy interior.