Chapter 4 - The Sabotage
A week passed. The mansion felt like a powder keg waiting for a spark.
Richard had suspended Dr. Vance’s medical oversight, flying in independent neurologists from Switzerland. In the meantime, Leo had been given a guest room—much to the dismay of the household staff—and a new set of clothes.
Every afternoon, in the sunlit conservatory, Leo and Clara worked. No doctors, no pressure. Just a boy holding out his hands, and a girl learning to trust her own body again. By day four, the Swiss doctors confirmed Leo's library-born theory: Clara's paralysis was 90% chemical. With the drugs out of her system, she was taking three, then four steps at a time.
A beautiful, tentative friendship bloomed between them. For Clara, Leo was her anchor to reality. For Leo, Clara was the first person in his life who looked at him without pity or disgust.
But Dr. Vance was not a man who surrendered easily. Millions of dollars were slipping through his fingers with every step his niece took.
On the evening of the seventh day, the police arrived at the estate.
Clara and Leo were laughing in the conservatory when the heavy boots echoed on the marble floors. Two officers marched in, led by a triumphant-looking Dr. Vance.
"There he is," Vance pointed a manicured finger at Leo.
"Leo Davis?" the lead officer asked. "You're under arrest for grand larceny."
"What?" Clara cried out, nearly toppling from her chair. "He hasn't stolen anything!"
"I'm afraid he has, my dear," Vance said, his voice oozing fake sympathy. "Your mother's diamond heirloom necklace. The one kept in the study vault. It went missing yesterday."
Richard entered the room, looking utterly torn. "Vance, this is absurd."
"Is it?" Vance signaled the officers. One of them produced a clear evidence bag. Inside, sparkling under the conservatory lights, was the diamond necklace. "The police found it stuffed inside the mattress in the boy's guest room. A classic grifter, Richard. I told you."
Leo didn't panic. He looked at the necklace, then at Vance. "I didn't take that."
"They all say that," the officer muttered, grabbing Leo by the arms and slapping cold steel handcuffs onto his wrists.
"Dad, stop them! He's lying! Uncle Vance is lying!" Clara screamed, struggling to stand, but the panic weakened her legs. She fell to her knees on the rug.
Leo stopped struggling. He looked back at Clara, his eyes fierce and urgent. "Clara, listen to me!" he shouted over the officers pulling him away. "You don't need me! The magic isn't in me, it's in you! Keep walking! Don't let him put you back in the chair!"
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"Leo!" Clara sobbed, reaching out as the doors slammed shut behind him.
Vance stepped over to Clara, looking down at her with cold, dead eyes. "Bring her wheelchair," he snapped at the maids. "The excitement has clearly been too much for her."
