"Arthur Blackwood."
Clara stared at the name in the ledger.
For several seconds, neither of them moved.
Arthur stood beside her, his eyes fixed on the page.
"That's impossible."
Genevieve remained near the doorway.
"Unfortunately, it's not."
Arthur turned toward her.
"Explain."
Genevieve swallowed.
"The Blackwood family was one of the original families involved in Victor Delevon's covenant. Your ancestors weren't merely business associates of the Delevons. They were appointed as the final custodians of the succession."
Arthur's expression darkened.
"My family has nothing to do with Victor Delevon."
"Your family may have kept that secret from you. But the records don't lie."
Clara looked at the ledger again.
"Why is Arthur's name written under the original succession?"
Genevieve pointed to a paragraph beneath the list of names.
"Because Victor created a final condition. If the designated Delevon heir refused the covenant, authority would pass to the Blackwood heir."
