The Doormat Wife’s Ultimate Glow-Up novel Chapter 406

“This way, please.”

Duncan was already waiting in the courtyard, his hand gesturing for Karter and the others to follow. He completely ignored Jose and his companion at the front gate, leading the group straight through the garden and into the back of the house. Once inside, they slipped through a rear door and climbed the stairs to the second floor, heading for the study.

Hank stood at the window, peeking through a narrow gap in the curtains, watching for any sign of movement outside. The old house had been empty for ages. Only the main building had lights on, the rest of the courtyard was lost in darkness. If Hank hadn’t caught a quick flash of light at the front gate earlier, he would have never guessed someone was standing guard out there.

He heard footsteps and spun around. Karter caught the flash of panic in Hank’s eyes right away.

“Mr. Meyer, it’s alright. Mr. Wiles sent us,” Karter said quietly.

Hank let out a small breath and pointed at a metal box on the desk. “It’s right there. The lock is complicated. Thanks for coming.”

The box hadn’t been so big and conspicuous, or he would have tried to sneak it out himself instead of calling Matthew for help.

The two guys who came in with Karter shared a look, then stepped up to the desk. The box was about the size of a computer monitor, old and heavy, with a mechanical lock that looked impossible to pick.

“I’ll give it a shot,” one of them said, pulling out a set of lock-picking tools. His fingers moved quickly and confidently.

Hank hovered nearby, tense and silent. Karter leaned against the doorframe, his eyes glued to the hallway, listening for any sound from outside.

Minutes crawled by. The only thing breaking the silence was the faint click and scrape of metal tools against the lock.

Suddenly, there was a louder click. “It’s open,” the technician whispered.

He was about to take a closer look when someone knocked at the door. “Mr. Hank, there’s something going on outside!”

Hank’s heart hammered in his chest.

Karter moved instantly, crossing to the window and pulling back a corner of the curtain. Shadows flickered across the yard. A crowd of people was racing toward the house.

“Is it Bailey’s people or Nathaniel’s?” Karter asked, his voice tense.

“I… I don’t know,” Hank stammered. He stuffed the note into his pocket and turned to the technician. “Are you done copying?”