Chapter 8 - THE BETRAYAL
Elena drove back to Connecticut.
The blue door was open.
Victoria was gone.
On the kitchen table sat a phone.
It rang.
Elena answered.
Marcus.
“Family reunions are exhausting, aren’t they?”
“Where is she?”
“Safe.”
“From whom?”
“You.”
Elena tightened her grip.
“You’re losing control, Marcus.”
“No.”
He sounded almost amused.
“You are.”
The call ended.
Elena returned to Manhattan.
Rachel was waiting.
“We have a bigger problem.”
Federal investigators had requested Mercer Global’s records.
Every acquisition connected to Marcus.
Someone had tipped them off.
Marcus was moving.
Fast.
The board called an emergency meeting.
Investors panicked.
News outlets began calling.
Mercer Global stock fell eighteen percent before noon.
Elena stood before twelve directors.
“I did not authorize illegal transactions.”
A director interrupted.
“Your signature is on every acquisition.”
“Yes.”
“Then legally, you’re responsible.”
Elena looked around the room.
People who had praised her for years were suddenly avoiding her eyes.
She understood power better than anyone.
Loyalty lasted exactly as long as confidence.
Then Rachel entered.
She whispered into Elena’s ear.
“We found Thomas.”
Elena turned.
“Where?”
“Bellevue.”
Her heart stopped.
“What happened?”
May you like
“He was attacked.”
Elena left the boardroom without another word.
