Chapter 99

Maria went upstairs, and just as she did, Noah slipped away and met up with her at the stairwell. They kept their voices low. "Our people took care of the surveillance. Let’s move." With the biggest concern out of the way, Maria didn’t hesitate anymore. They headed straight to the third-floor study. But she hadn’t expected it to be locked. She smacked herself on the forehead, annoyed. "I got so focused on finding the files, I completely forgot the door might be locked." Turning back now wasn’t an option. Staring at the lock, she was just about to find a way to pick it open when Noah suddenly pulled out two thin metal strips. Maria instantly got it and said quickly, "You pick it. I’ll keep watch." Two minutes later, the door clicked open. They found the ink painting right away, took it down, entered the code, and the hidden room quietly opened. Everything went way too smoothly, and Maria couldn’t shake off a nagging unease. Inside, the secret room wasn't huge—maybe around thirty square