24. A Ring at the Door

Edith’s thorough search yielded no clues to the key’s purpose, leaving her puzzled and yearning for answers. Just as her determination grew, the sudden ring of the doorbell cut through the workshop’s silence, abruptly pulling her back to the present. The sound was jarring, an unwelcome intrusion into the delicate thread of discovery she had been following. She stood still for a moment, the significance weighing heavily. Who could it be at this hour, unexpectedly disrupting her quest? Was it simply a visitor, or something more meaningful? Reluctantly, Edith placed the key on the workbench. She paused, conflicted between responding to the door and continuing her exploration of the workshop’s hidden depths.