Chapter 18 - THE FIANCÉE'S LAST PERFORMANCE|
Clarissa entered the cabin without waiting for permission.
She looked different without the estate's staff, designer gowns, and carefully arranged social events. Her hair was pulled back, her makeup minimal, and her expression stripped of the polished charm that had once made her untouchable.
Marcus remained outside with two security officers.
Theodore stood between Clarissa and Nadia.
“How did you get here?”
“Your uncle's security is terrible,” she replied. “Or perhaps he wanted me to find him.”
Dominic raised his shotgun.
“Give me one reason not to throw you out.”
“Because I know who ordered Margaret's death.”
The room went silent.
Nadia stepped forward.
“Tell me.”
Clarissa looked at her.
“Your mother was supposed to leave the country after the adoption. She had money, a new identity, and a place to live. But she discovered that Victor was preparing to eliminate the witnesses who could expose the foundation.”
“Who started the fire?”
“Richard ordered it. Victor arranged it. But neither expected Margaret to survive.”
Nadia felt rage flood her chest.
“And you knew?”
“I was twenty-four. I was working for Richard's attorney. I helped move the documents. I didn't know anyone would be trapped inside.”
“You knew enough to stay quiet.”
Clarissa lowered her eyes.
“Yes.”
Theodore's voice was cold.
“Why are you here?”
“Because Victor intends to destroy everyone who can connect him to the fraud. He has already arranged to have Rebecca discredited, Dominic arrested, and Nadia charged with blackmail. Once the board removes you, he'll control the company.”
“And what do you want?”
Clarissa reached into her handbag and placed a small recording device on the table.
“Protection.”
Nadia laughed bitterly.
“You want us to protect you after everything you've done?”
“I want to survive.”
Dominic pointed the shotgun toward the door.
“Leave.”
Clarissa ignored him.
“Theodore, I can prove Victor arranged Richard's murder. I can prove he falsified the adoption records. I can prove he ordered the attack on Nadia's parents.”
“Then give the evidence to the police.”
“I tried. Victor owns half the people who would investigate him.”
Theodore looked at the recorder.
“What does it contain?”
“His voice. Discussing the original inheritance and the plan to remove Nadia.”
Nadia stared at Clarissa.
“You could have brought this to us months ago.”
“I didn't know you were the girl in the records until the photograph appeared. By then, Victor had started threatening me.”
“You cut my hair because you were afraid of me.”
Clarissa's face tightened.
“I cut your hair because I wanted you to feel powerless. You reminded me of Margaret, and I hated her for making me feel small.”
“Margaret never made you small,” Nadia said. “You did that yourself.”
Clarissa flinched.
For a moment, something like shame appeared in her eyes.
Then she turned to Theodore.
“If you help me, I'll testify. I'll return the money I stole. I'll give up the company shares.”
Theodore studied her.
“You don't get to bargain your way out of what you did.”
“I know.”
“Then why should I believe you?”
Clarissa looked toward Nadia.
“Because I have one more thing.”
She removed a photograph from her handbag.
It showed a hospital corridor, a nurse carrying an infant, and a man standing beside a doorway.
The man was Victor Sloane.
The infant's bracelet bore a name.
Baby Hawthorne—Female.
On the back, Clarissa had written a date and a location.
A private hospital in Connecticut.
Nadia looked at her.
“Where did you get this?”
“From my father's safe.”
“Your father?”
Clarissa nodded.
“He wasn't just Richard's accountant. He was the doctor who signed the false death certificate.”
Theodore stared at her.
“Your father helped switch the babies?”
“Yes.”
Clarissa's voice trembled.
“And he wasn't the only one.”
She pointed at the nurse in the photograph.
Nadia recognized the woman from the old album.
Catherine.
May you like
The woman who had helped Margaret escape.
Clarissa whispered, “Your aunt didn't merely protect you, Nadia. She helped decide which baby would inherit the empire.”
