Reborn as the Last van Ambrose

The Luminaris estate, once a symbol of wealth and political influence, had become a study in rapid decline over the past week.

Empty rooms echoed with the absence of servants who had simply vanished overnight, their quarters abandoned as if they had never existed.

Julius Luminaris sat in his private study, staring at financial documents that painted an increasingly dire picture of his family’s circumstances.

The afternoon sun streamed through windows that hadn’t been properly cleaned in days, highlighting dust motes that danced in air thick with tension and uncertainty.

"Seventy-three thousand crowns," he muttered, reviewing the latest accounting reports. "Gone in less than a week."

The losses had come from multiple directions simultaneously—canceled contracts, terminated business relationships, and suddenly discovered "irregularities" in various financial arrangements that had functioned smoothly for years.

A knock at the study door interrupted his brooding. "Enter," he called wearily.

Mira stepped into the room, her usually immaculate appearance showing signs of strain.

Dark circles under her eyes suggested sleepless nights, while her clothing, though still expensive, lacked the perfect coordination that normally marked her public appearances.

"Father," she said, settling into the chair across from his desk without invitation. "We need to discuss our situation."

"What situation?" Julius asked with bitter amusement. "The fact that half our staff has disappeared? The collapse of our business relationships? The mysterious investigation into our financial practices? Or perhaps you mean the whispers that follow our family name wherever we go?"