Chapter 4
The black Audi A6 glided silently down the highway.
Inside, the only sound was the soft hum of the air conditioning.
I leaned back into the plush leather seat, watching the city lights blur past the window.
It felt surreal, as if I were trapped in a dream from which I couldn't wake.
A few hours earlier, I was an abandoned woman, ridiculed by the townspeople, with nothing to my name.
Now, I sat in a million-dollar Audi, heading to Boslanville to claim a huge fortune that unexpectedly belonged to me.
I still wore that tattered old shirt, with dust clinging to it from where I had been shoved to the ground at the town entrance.
My outfit seemed completely out of place in this car.
The driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror, his eyes steady, revealing no hint of disdain.
He was well-trained and focused solely on his job.
This made me relax a little.
I closed my eyes, and Catherine's letter filled my mind.
Her face, her tone of voice, and every little thing she did in that villa in Dislinton flashed through my memory.
Twelve years of memories unfolded like a movie reel.
I had always viewed myself as her servant and her as my mistress.
A class divide had existed between us that felt impossible to bridge.
Yet today, I came to understand that in her heart, I was already family, the only person she could depend on in this world.
Her sacrifice granted me a second chance at life, and I owed it to her to make it meaningful.
The names William Hamilton and Victor Shaw were etched in my mind like a blade.
I had no idea how powerful they truly were.
I didn't realize how perilous the road ahead would be, either.
But one thing was certain. I could no longer be Norah Zamora, the maid who kept her head down and obeyed.
From the moment I decided to call John, I was on a path with no turning back.
*****
As dawn broke, the car entered Boslanville.
Skyscrapers towered overhead, and traffic flowed endlessly below.
The city's vibrancy surpassed that of Dislinton. It pulsed with a modern energy that made my heart race.
I pressed against the glass like a true outsider, absorbing the sights outside.
Here was one of my nineteen properties.
It was my sanctuary, the place I would soon call home.
Instead of heading directly to the residential area, the car turned into the underground garage of a towering office complex.
The driver opened the door for me. "Ms. Zamora, Mr. Parker is waiting for you in the lobby of Block B."
It marked the first time he spoke, his voice low and respectful.
I nodded, grabbed my battered suitcase, and stepped out of the car.
Stepping into the elevator, I saw my own tired face and shabby outfit staring back at me in the mirror.
I took a deep breath.
Once the elevator doors opened, my life would change forever.
When the elevator reached the first floor, the doors slid open.
A man in a sharp suit and gold-rimmed glasses, appearing to be in his forties, strode toward me.
He exuded sharpness and capability, his eyes keen yet steady.
"Hi, Ms. Zamora. I'm John Parker, Mrs. Hamilton's lawyer," he said, extending his hand with the right balance of concern and respect.
"Hello, Mr. Parker," I replied, shaking his hand. His grip felt warm and firm.
"It's been a long journey for you," he said, glancing at my suitcase. "Let's find somewhere to sit. I need to update you on the current situation."
He guided me through the opulent lobby and into a seemingly private meeting room.
The room was quiet, with excellent soundproofing.
He poured me a cup of water. "Ms. Zamora, first, allow me to express, on behalf of Mrs. Hamilton, my deepest respect and gratitude toward you."
His expression was serious.
"Mrs. Hamilton told me everything," I said, my voice still rough.
"Oaky." John nodded, skipping pleasantries.
He pulled out a stack of documents from his briefcase and slid them over. "Here are your new driver's license, passport, and several bank cards."
I stood stunned for a moment.
I picked up the driver's license. The photo was still of me, but the name and birthplace had changed.
John said, "Ms. Zamora, your old identity, Norah Zamora, has been flagged as 'presumed missing' in the official records after years of no contact. It's a loophole we can exploit.
"The new identity I'm giving you is Elaine Carter, a blank slate, born in Sonoburg, with no complex social relationships.
"From now on, you'll be Ms. Elaine Carter."
Elaine Carter was my new name, marking a fresh start.
"These bank cards are all under your new identity. I've already sold one of your properties in Wontanam and deposited 1.5 million dollars as your initial capital," John added.
I had never even dreamed of having that much money.
John seemed to note the shock etched on my face.
He explained, "Ms. Carter, this is only the start. You need quite a lot of money to ensure your protection. Mr. Hamilton's methods are far darker than we can imagine.
"He's acting quickly. My sources indicate he's dispatched multiple teams to find you. Your cousin and his crew were merely the first wave of his probes.
"A man named Victor Shaw arrived in Boslanville yesterday."
My heart tightened at the mention of his name.
I couldn't believe he was already here.
"He's Mr. Hamilton's top henchman, the one Mrs. Hamilton referenced in her letter," I muttered.
"Yes," John said, his expression growing serious. "This guy is extremely dangerous. He's a professional with remarkable counter-surveillance skills and absolutely no mercy. He's the shadow behind several so-called accidents involving Mr. Hamilton's business rivals in Dislinton."
"We must assume he already recognizes your face and has all your basic details.
"So, the first thing you need to do is completely reinvent yourself."
Fixing his gaze on me, he spoke slowly and distinctly. "From your appearance to your demeanor, the way you speak, and the way you act, you have to bid farewell to the old Norah Zamora for good.
"I'll arrange for the best image consultant, etiquette coach, and combat trainer. You need to transform into someone unrecognizable, even if you stood right in front of them."
I glanced at the new driver's license on the table.
Elaine Carter was more than a name. It was my shield.
"I got it," I replied, meeting his gaze with determination.
"Good," John responded, appearing pleased with my quick acceptance.
"Next, regarding your assets," John continued, "those nineteen properties are your ace in the hole. They're what keep you protected. But if anyone discovers them, they'll become your biggest target.
"The registration info is concealed, but it isn't foolproof. If Mr. Hamilton chooses to employ dirty tricks, there's still a possibility he could uncover them.
"So, we need to start relocating your assets immediately. We'll sell off some properties and funnel the money into hidden accounts overseas or crypto. I'll take care of everything to ensure that it's foolproof."
His clear and well-organized explanation instilled a sense of security I hadn't felt in years.
Catherine had picked the right guy.
"Last, the most crucial point," John said, leaning in slightly, "Mrs. Hamilton mentioned the safe in the Finslyn Borough apartment, right?"
I nodded.
He continued, "She left something for you inside. It could deliver a fatal blow if used correctly.
"That's the real reason why Mr. Hamilton and Victor want to find you.
"Don't use it unless you're completely certain you can manage it. That's your last and strongest trump card."
I clenched my fists. "Got it."
"Alright, let's get you to your new home," John said, standing up. "From there, your new life begins."
*****
The car started up again, this time driving me toward home.
Half an hour later, we arrived at an upscale residential neighborhood, nestled among towering trees and vibrant greenery.
The security was intense. Even John's car underwent a thorough inspection before we were permitted entry.
We drove straight into the underground garage and then took a private elevator all the way up to the penthouse.
When the elevator doors opened, we found ourselves in a private foyer.
John used a keycard to unlock a heavy door.
"Ms. Carter, welcome home," he said.
Beyond that door was a world I'd never imagined.
A massive floor-to-ceiling window showcased a breathtaking view of the Finslyn River at night.
The decor was understated yet incredibly classy, with every detail reflecting a level of taste I had never encountered before.
The apartment was vast and empty, which made me feel somewhat intimidated.
"The security here is connected to a world-class company. Someone monitors it 24/7. If anyone tries to break in, the alarm triggers in three seconds, and guards arrive within three minutes," John explained.
"Your fingerprints and iris are already registered in the system. From now on, only you can open this door," he added, handing me the keycard and a normal key. "This is your emergency key. Be sure to keep it safe."
He pointed to the study tucked away in the corner of the living room. "The safe is in there. The code is your birthday."
Once he finished explaining everything, John prepared to leave. "Ms. Carter, take the next three days to rest and settle in. In three days, your team will meet you officially.
"Remember, the moment you walk out of this room, you are Elaine Carter."
He gave me a respectful bow and then turned to leave.
The heavy door closed slowly, emitting a soft, muffled thud.
Suddenly, everything felt empty. I was alone.
I stood in the center of this sky-high palace, clutching my battered suitcase.
The marble floor beneath my feet was cold and slick.
Right in front of me was a stunning view of the river.
Behind me lay a past I could never reclaim.
I slowly approached the massive floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at the city sparkling with color and life below.
In the glass, I saw the reflection of a thin, middle-aged woman standing there in tattered clothes.
Her eyes expressed confusion, sadness, and fear.
But above all, a fierce resolve burned brightly in her gaze, one I had never seen before.
The two names, Norah Zamora and Elaine Carter, echoed in my mind.
I reached out slowly, my fingers brushing against the icy glass.
Goodbye, Norah Zamora.
Hello, Elaine Carter.