Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 175

Wren's breath caught in her throat.

It was Vivian's handwriting.

She recognized it instantly.

Her mother had a delicate script, always tapering off softly at the end of a stroke.

Staring at that line of text, a memory from years ago suddenly echoed in her ears.

"Wren, go to the study and help Mom find The Cobalt Folder."

She was sixteen at the time.

Her mother had been lying in her hospital bed, her voice barely a whisper.

Wren had sprinted back to The Whitaker Estate, tearing the study apart but finding nothing. Then Lydia walked in, carrying a bowl of soup, and said, "Maybe it got misplaced when we were cleaning? Don't worry, I'll help you look."

She was too young then.

Too young to understand the gravity hidden within that request.

Too young, believing that a missing folder was simply just misplaced.

Wren clutched the sticky note, a slight tremor in her fingers.

Phoebe called her name softly. "Wren."

Wren didn't respond.

She looked up at Scott. "Where did this note come from?"

"Before Vivian passed, she had someone deliver it to the foundation," Scott explained. "Along with those photocopies."

"Where is The Cobalt Folder?"

Scott shook his head.

"I don't know."

Wren's gaze sharpened.

"You really don't know?"

Scott didn't look away.

"I don't."

After a few seconds, he added, "But Vivian said something back then. She said the most dangerous place might actually be the safest."

Phoebe murmured, "The Whitaker Estate?"

Scott didn't confirm it.

But he didn't deny it, either.

He just leaned back into the sofa, looking incredibly fatigued.

"Wren, don't rush back there to tear the place apart. Your father won't let you find it that easily."

Wren slid the note into a clear protective sleeve.

"I'll bring my lawyer."

Scott nodded.

"Good."

Looking thoroughly spent, he closed his eyes.

Wren stood up. "Thank you for speaking up for me tonight."

Scott waved his hand weakly.

"Don't thank me. Too late is still too late. I just hope Vivian..." He trailed off, keeping his eyes shut.

Wren didn't press him.

She walked out of the lounge.

Julian was still waiting in the corridor.

He didn't ask what she had discovered; he simply handed her a paper cup of warm water.

Wren took it.

It was a standard, unassuming paper cup.

As the warmth seeped into her palms, she realized just how freezing her hands were.

Phoebe packed their things into her bag. "We're not going back to the Whitakers' tonight. Let's head to Stellaris and back up the scans."