Chapter 18 - THE NIGHT THE MANSION BURNED|
The attack began at 11:17 p.m.
The first explosion shattered the windows of the east wing. The second cut power to the mansion. Emergency lights flickered on, bathing the hallways in red.
Marco rushed toward Lily's bedroom.
Isabella was already there, holding the girl beneath the desk while Ava tried to call emergency services.
"Where's Victor?" Marco demanded.
Ava looked at him.
"He disappeared twenty minutes ago."
Marco felt the final piece fall into place.
Victor had not merely hidden the truth.
He had helped Eleanor plan the attack.
Gunfire erupted outside.
Marco ordered the women toward the underground shelter while his remaining guards secured the corridors. He stayed behind long enough to retrieve the original ledger and the flash drive containing the evidence.
Then he heard a child's scream.
Lily.
He ran toward the stairwell.
Smoke filled the upper hallway. A beam had collapsed across the landing, blocking the direct route to the shelter.
Lily stood on the other side, coughing.
Marco climbed over the debris.
"Come to me!"
She tried to move, but her foot was trapped beneath a fallen cabinet.
Marco lifted it with both hands and pulled her free.
A gunshot struck the wall beside them.
Victor stood at the far end of the corridor.
"Put the child down," he ordered.
Marco held Lily close.
"You're working for Eleanor."
Victor's expression was unreadable.
"I always have been."
"Why?"
"Because your father ordered me to protect the family. Eleanor was the family."
"You helped her destroy mine."
Victor raised his weapon.
"I gave you six years to stop asking questions."
Marco shifted Lily behind him.
"Then you should have known I'd never stop."
Victor fired.
Marco threw himself sideways. The bullet struck his shoulder, sending him against the wall.
Lily screamed.
Victor approached.
Before he could raise his weapon again, a figure emerged through the smoke.
Richard Duca.
He struck Victor from behind with his walking stick, knocking the gun from his hand.
Marco stared at his father.
Richard pulled him upright.
"Take Lily and go."
"What about you?"
"I have unfinished business."
Victor lunged.
Richard fired a concealed pistol.
Victor fell.
Marco carried Lily toward the shelter.
Behind him, the mansion's alarms wailed.
In the underground room, Isabella and Ava waited beside an emergency exit that led to the gardens. Catherine was already there with two vehicles.
"Where's Richard?" Isabella asked.
Marco shook his head.
"He stayed behind."
A deafening crash shook the building.
Flames climbed through the windows above them.
They escaped into the garden as the east wing began to collapse.
Marco turned toward the mansion.
He had lost his childhood home, his family's archives, and nearly everything he had inherited.
But Lily was alive.
Isabella was beside him.
Ava and Catherine had the evidence.
For the first time, he believed they might survive the truth.
Then a phone began ringing inside the abandoned vehicle near the gate.
Marco approached cautiously.
The caller's name appeared on the screen.
MOTHER.
He answered.
Eleanor's voice was calm.
"Did you enjoy my little demonstration?"
Marco's face hardened.
"You've lost."
"Have I?"
"You no longer have the trust. The documents are public. The police are coming."
Eleanor laughed.
"You still think this is about money."
"What else could it be?"
"The child."
Marco looked toward Lily.
"What about her?"
Eleanor's voice softened.
"Lily is not the only child I saved that night."
He froze.
"Explain."
"You've been looking for a second baby, Marco. But you never asked the right question."
"Where is she?"
Eleanor paused.
Then she whispered, "Ask Isabella what happened before the fire."
The call ended.
Marco turned toward his wife.
May you like
Isabella was staring at the burning mansion.
Her expression told him she already knew the answer.
