Chapter 11 - LILY’S CHOICE
Lucas looked at the confession.
It claimed he had ordered Daniel’s death, poisoned Rachel, and embezzled millions.
If he signed it, Edward and Vanessa would disappear under new identities.
Lily would be released.
At least, that was the promise.
“Give me the pen,” Lucas said.
“Dad, no.”
He met Lily’s eyes.
“It’s okay.”
“No, it isn’t.”
Edward slid the pen across the table.
Lucas picked it up.
Vanessa smiled.
She had changed again.
No fear.
No panic.
Only satisfaction.
“You should’ve married me,” she said.
“I would rather spend my life in prison.”
“That can be arranged.”
Lucas lowered the pen toward the paper.
Lily suddenly threw her plate into the fireplace.
Flames surged upward.
She grabbed the metal poker and swung it at Edward’s gun hand.
The pistol fired into the ceiling.
Lucas launched himself across the table.
Cole pulled his weapon.
Vanessa shoved him aside.
“Don’t shoot Lucas!”
That hesitation gave Lucas time.
He struck Edward and dragged Lily behind the sofa.
Gunfire shattered the library windows.
Grant’s team breached the west entrance.
Cole ran through a hidden door.
Edward followed.
Vanessa seized the confession and set it on fire.
Lucas grabbed her wrist.
“Where are they going?”
She laughed.
“You still don’t understand. Your father doesn’t plan to escape.”
An explosion shook the mountain.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
Outside, flames rose from the estate’s lower garage.
Edward was destroying evidence.
Grant rushed into the library.
“Cole took a federal agent hostage. They’re heading toward the landing strip.”
Lucas turned to Lily.
“Go with Grant.”
“I’m not leaving you.”
“You are this time.”
She wrapped her arms around him.
For one second, Lucas held her as tightly as he could.
Then he handed her to an agent.
Vanessa slipped a small knife from her sleeve.
Maria, who had followed the second team inside, saw it first.
“Lucas!”
Vanessa slashed at him.
Maria stepped between them.
The blade struck Maria’s side.
Lucas caught Vanessa before she could strike again.
He forced her to the floor.
Maria collapsed.
As medics rushed in, Vanessa looked up at Lucas.
“You think I’m the monster?”
“You murdered Rachel.”
Her expression became strangely calm.
“No, Lucas. I gave her the pills.”
She leaned closer.
“But your father was the one who forced Lily to pour them into her mother’s tea.”
Lucas stared at her.
“That’s a lie.”
Across the room, Lily had heard every word.
Her small face went blank.
May you like
Then she whispered:
“I remember the tea.”
