Chapter 10 - THE WOMAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH|
For a moment, Elena could not move.
Victor Hale had been in the photograph with her mother. He had been in the clinic. He had been part of the family security team. And now he was telling her that her existence had something to do with Sophia's death.
Adrian raised his weapon.
"Put it down, Victor."
Victor didn't look at him.
"Your wife was a sentimental woman. She believed every person deserved saving. Your mother was the same, Elena. Always helping people who should have been left alone."
Elena's throat tightened.
"What did you do to my mother?"
Victor smiled.
"Your mother discovered a financial ledger. She found payments made to a doctor, a judge, and three men who didn't officially exist. Sophia gave her copies. They thought they could expose the family."
"Did you kill her?"
"I arranged a warning."
"A warning that killed her?"
Victor shrugged.
"She refused to listen."
Adrian moved slightly.
"Where is Isabella?"
Victor pointed toward the door.
"She's inside."
"Open it."
"Not yet."
He pulled a folded document from his coat.
"Your father signed this, Adrian. It authorized the transfer of certain properties and funds. If you sign the second page, your daughter walks out."
Adrian looked at the paper.
"My father is dead."
"Dead men leave useful signatures."
Elena understood.
The document was the reason they had taken Isabella. The family wanted Adrian to transfer control of the assets Sophia had uncovered.
"Why does he need to sign?" she asked.
Victor glanced at her.
"Because the accounts were placed in his name. The old man made sure his son inherited everything."
"Then why not take them yourself?"
"Because the money is protected by a series of legal safeguards. Only Adrian can release it."
Adrian stared at him.
"You're working for Charles."
Victor laughed.
"Charles is working for people much more powerful than himself."
"Who?"
"You'll know when it's too late."
A metallic bang sounded from behind the door.
Elena turned.
"Isabella?"
"Elena!" the little girl cried.
Elena took a step forward.
Victor fired into the ceiling.
"Stay where you are!"
Adrian's men shifted into position.
Victor saw them.
"Tell your people to stand down."
Adrian didn't move.
"You have one chance."
Victor pressed the gun against the document.
"Then your daughter dies with the truth."
Elena looked at Victor's right hand. His fingers were trembling. His attention kept moving toward the roof, where one of Adrian's men was positioned.
She realized he was afraid.
Not of Adrian.
Of whoever had ordered him to do this.
"Victor," she said quietly. "Who killed Sophia?"
He looked at her.
"You know who."
"Celeste?"
"No."
"Charles?"
Victor's expression changed.
"You're asking the wrong question."
"Then tell me the right one."
He hesitated.
"Ask who benefited when Sophia died."
Adrian's face hardened.
"My father."
Victor shook his head.
"Your father was already losing control. Someone wanted the entire empire, and Sophia found the evidence."
"Who?"
Victor looked at Elena.
"Your mother knew."
Elena felt her heart hammer.
"She told you?"
"No. She hid something before she died. Something Sophia wanted her to protect."
"What?"
Victor started to answer.
Then a gunshot came from the roof.
Victor fell, clutching his shoulder.
Adrian rushed forward, but Victor rolled behind a concrete pillar.
"Get Isabella!" he shouted.
Elena ran toward the door.
She found the lock and tried the handle.
It opened.
Inside, Isabella sat on the floor beside a broken chair. Her hands were tied with plastic restraints.
Elena dropped to her knees.
"I'm here, sweetheart."
Isabella began to cry.
"I knew you would come."
Elena cut the restraints with a small blade from her pocket.
"Let's get you out."
The girl wrapped her arms around Elena.
Then she whispered:
"Elena, the bad man said Mama isn't dead."
Elena froze.
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"What?"
"He said she's alive. He said she was waiting for me."
