Chapter 10 - Marian Mercer’s Name
The chest was opened under independent supervision.
First lock: Ivy.
Second: Vivienne.
Third: Ronan.
Helen Royce verified seals.
Inside:
Original registers.
Transaction schedules.
Restitution agreements.
Manor deed.
All expected.
Then bottom compartment.
One thin ledger.
Page underneath deed.
Alexander Blackwood signature.
Marian Mercer signature.
Title:
PRIVATE CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT.
Ronan looked at Ivy.
She shook head.
Never seen.
Agreement said Marian would hold certain “non-family assets” outside Blackwood estate until succession conditions met.
What assets?
Schedule missing.
Then second page:
Custodian successor shall be Marian’s lawful heir.
Ivy.
That seemed to give maid enormous control.
Vivienne laughed bitterly.
“Now you understand why I smiled.”
She believed Ivy had inherited secret asset control.
Could key open something beyond Unit 7?
Yes.
Custodian agreement referenced:
BLACKWOOD LEGACY RESERVE — SUBVAULT C.
Estimated value at time:
$9 million.
Current unknown.
Potentially tens of millions.
Where?
Not listed.
Then Helen warned:
“Do not assume Ivy owns it.”
Custodian isn't beneficiary.
Ivy may only safeguard.
Who beneficiary?
Missing schedule.
Then Michael found audit clue.
Legacy Reserve funded by sale of land employees originally owned collectively.
Beneficiaries likely employee families.
Again Ivy is protector, not secret heiress.
But why hide schedule separately?
Alexander feared family pressure on custodian.
He split key from beneficiary list.
Where list?
Graham knew.
His note perhaps.
Vivienne searched father’s files.
Found sealed audio.
Graham:
“If Marian’s daughter ever holds the key, tell her not to open Subvault C until Ronan has lost something he thinks belongs to him.”
Cryptic.
Ronan had just lost engagement ring? He demanded it back and Vivienne threw it.
Could that be trigger?
Maybe Alexander/Graham anticipated broken engagement? Impossible.
“Lost something he thinks belongs to him” broader—control, company, inheritance.
Then Vivienne said:
“My father told me once the reserve opens only when Blackwood heir proves he can return what isn't his.”
A governance test.
Maybe.
Then Lena noticed engagement ring on floor had been recovered by staff.
Ronan picked it up.
Vivienne had thrown it.
Inside band engraving:
BLACKWOOD-Hale merger date.
No link.
Then Ronan asked why riding crop attack? Vivienne cruelty at gala independent of mystery. She lashed out at Ivy for taking blame. It revealed character, not conspiracy. Good.
Then Ivy asked:
“Where is Subvault C?”
Helen knew.
Under Blackwood Manor.
Specifically beneath old servants’ wing.
A vault physically below rooms where Marian once slept.
Symbolic.
Key?
Same brass Mercer key.
Only one key required?
Plus biometric? no.
But Alexander central key maybe needed too.
Ronan and Ivy may need both.
Vivienne had no role.
That scared her.
If Subvault C contained records that diminished Hale claims, she loses leverage.
Then they entered.
Door opened.
Inside:
Rows of sealed boxes.
One safe.
And one wooden coffin-shaped archival case.
Vivienne whispered:
“That’s what my father meant.”
Plate on case:
ALEXANDER BLACKWOOD — TO BE OPENED AFTER MY BURIAL.
Ronan stared.
So something was indeed “buried with his father” metaphorically.
May you like
Then Ivy found second plate:
OPEN ONLY WHEN THE MERCER KEY RETURNS TO THE HOUSE.
