THE next morning, after dropping King off at school, Kate drove straight to the Oswald mansion. Her heart thumped with excitement as she approached the high gates, recalling the message she had received the night before. Unlike her previous attempts, this time she was let in, no interrogation, no delay. They were expecting her.

She parked her car just outside the main building and stepped out, her eyes immediately soaking in the luxury that surrounded her. It was her first time entering the mansion grounds properly, and everything looked like a scene straight out of a billionaire fairytale, neatly trimmed lawns, tall fountains, and walls that sparkled like they were...