Chapter 11 — The Bargain
Chapter 11 — The Bargain
Police traced Claire’s call to an abandoned lakeside property owned by one of Victoria’s shell companies.
Ryan insisted on going.
The detective refused.
“You are emotionally involved and potentially a target.”
Ryan looked at Emma.
“She did this because of me.”
“No,” Emma said. “She did it because she believes people belong to her.”
Ryan swallowed.
Emma continued.
“Do not turn guilt into another excuse to act recklessly.”
For once, he listened.
The police entered the lakeside house shortly after midnight.
They found Claire locked inside a pantry.
She had bruises on her wrists but no serious injuries.
Victoria was gone.
Claire immediately asked for an attorney.
Then she asked for Emma.
Against Samuel’s advice, Emma agreed to a monitored video call.
Claire appeared on-screen wrapped in a gray blanket.
Her arrogance was gone.
“You want protection?” Emma asked.
Claire nodded.
“Victoria will kill me.”
“You threatened my child.”
“I was trying to scare you.”
“You hid a camera in my room.”
“Victoria told me to.”
“You wrote on my ultrasound.”
Claire looked down.
“That was me.”
Emma’s jaw tightened.
Claire began crying.
Emma felt nothing.
“I can give you evidence,” Claire said.
“In exchange for what?”
“A reduced sentence. Witness protection. Money.”
Emma almost laughed.
“You still think this is a negotiation.”
“I have the full financial archive. Every transfer. Every recording. Proof Victoria drugged your tea.”
Ryan went rigid beside Emma.
Claire continued.
“She told me the dose would only make you weak. She wanted you to stumble on the stairs so Ryan would believe pregnancy was making you unstable.”
Emma’s hands went cold.
“And if I had fallen?”
Claire said nothing.
“Answer me.”
“I don’t know.”
“You knew enough.”
Claire’s face crumpled.
“I didn’t think it would go this far.”
Emma leaned toward the screen.
“People like you always say that after the damage is done.”
Claire wiped her face.
“Victoria has another plan.”
“What plan?”
“She believes the house can still return to the family if you are declared legally incompetent.”
Samuel stepped closer.
“On what basis?”
“She created medical records saying Emma suffered severe prenatal psychosis. She bribed a doctor to sign them.”
Emma stared at the screen.
“Which doctor?”
Claire gave a name.
Dr. Leonard Price.
Emma recognized it.
He had examined her after the dizzy spell on the staircase.
He had told Ryan that stress might be affecting her judgment.
Claire continued.
“Victoria planned to force a psychiatric hold. Ryan would become temporary guardian of the baby and controller of the property.”
Ryan recoiled.
“I never agreed to that.”
“She didn’t need you to agree. She forged your signature.”
Samuel’s eyes hardened.
Claire looked directly at Emma.
“There’s more.”
Emma waited.
“Victoria didn’t choose this house only because it was valuable.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s something hidden beneath it.”
May you like
Claire’s voice dropped.
“Something Ryan’s grandfather died trying to protect.”
