★Forty Minutes Earlier...★
The Harrington estate was quiet, except for the distant voice of the news anchor from the television echoing through the grand living room.
Harrington Senior sat in his favorite armchair, legs crossed, sipping warm tea as his sharp eyes scanned the screen.
Suddenly, the door opened and James, his trusted personal assistant, stepped in with a polite bow of the head.
"James, what do you have for me?" Grandpa asked, still keeping his eyes on the screen.
"Sir, Elizabeth is in town… and there have been movements," James said carefully.
Grandpa's head slowly turned. "You mean Nicholas's mother?"
"Yes, sir. She and Nicholas met earlier this evening. We don't know exactly what was discussed, but we believe something big is cooking."
Grandpa placed his tea on the table, stood up slowly, and walked to the window. He didn't speak for a few seconds.
