Chapter 2 - SOMEONE WAS STILL IN THE HOUSE

Victor ran upstairs.

“Lily!”

She was already moving toward Ethan.

Marcus followed with his weapon raised.

A shadow disappeared around the end of the hallway.

“Stop!”

Marcus chased it.

Victor reached Lily first.

Ethan was safe.

But the bedroom window beside them stood open.

Curtains whipped in the night wind.

Victor crossed the room.

A rope hung from the balcony.

“They planned an escape route.”

Marcus returned seconds later.

“Lost him.”

“Who?”

“Male.”

“Black clothing.”

“Approximately six feet.”

Victor immediately called Daniel Cross.

The phone rang.

No answer.

Again.

Nothing.

Victor lowered the phone.

“Find Cross.”

Marcus nodded.

“I’ll contact the police.”

“No.”

Marcus stared at him.

Victor’s expression was controlled.

“If Cross has been inside my legal affairs for fifteen years, I don’t know how far this goes.”

“We secure Ethan first.”

Victor looked at Lily.

“You’re coming with us.”

“Where?”

“My private security residence.”

Lily shook her head.

“I’m not leaving until you hear the rest of my recording.”

Victor stopped.

“The rest?”

Lily unlocked her phone.

“The blackout interrupted what everyone heard.”

“But the recording continued.”

She pressed PLAY.

Serena’s voice filled the room.

“Victor’s child must disappear before the trust activates.”

Daniel answered.

“The maid takes the blame.”

Serena laughed.

“And Victor will be too destroyed to notice what happens to the company.”

Another voice interrupted.

A woman.

“Enough.”

Victor froze.

Lily looked at him.

“You recognize her?”

He did.

But he didn’t answer.

The recording continued.

The woman said something slowly.

“Amelia made the mistake of asking questions.”

“Ethan won’t get the same opportunity.”

Victor grabbed the phone.

“Play that again.”

Lily did.

Victor listened.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Marcus watched him.

“Sir?”

Victor’s face looked almost sick.

“That woman is Margaret Hale.”

Lily frowned.

“Who?”

“My mother.”

Silence.

Victor turned toward the photograph of Amelia.

His mother had publicly blamed Amelia for destroying the Hale family.

She had refused to attend Ethan’s first birthday.

Victor had believed they were estranged.

Apparently, Margaret had never left his life at all.

She had simply moved into the shadows.

His phone rang.

UNKNOWN NUMBER.

Victor answered.

“Victor.”

His mother’s voice came through.

“Don’t open anything else.”

Victor’s blood turned cold.

“Where are you?”

“You have no idea what Amelia did.”

“You have no idea what that trust really contains.”

Victor clenched his fist.

“You threatened my son.”

“No.”

Margaret sounded almost desperate.

“I’m trying to save you from finding out why Amelia died.”

Victor’s eyes moved toward the hidden staircase.

“What are you talking about?”

“You think Serena wants Ethan’s money?”

“She doesn’t.”

“She wants what Amelia hid beneath the house.”

Victor looked toward Lily.

“What did Amelia hide?”

Margaret whispered two words.

May you like

THE MAID’S DAUGHTER

“GET OUT OF MY HOUSE,” HIS FIANCÉE TOLD THE MAID—THEN THE MAFIA BOSS LOOKED AT HER LITTLE GIRL“Get out of my house. And take that...

**MY HUSBAND CALLED ME A “BARREN LEECH”—HE DIDN’T KNOW MY MONEY WAS KEEP...

My husband threw his wedding ring at my feet and told security to remove the “barren leech” from the ballroom.He had no idea he wa...

MY DAUGHTER’S NOTE STOPPED MY WEDDING—AND EXPOSED MY BRIDE

MY DAUGHTER SLIPPED ME A NOTE BEFORE “I DO”—AND EXPOSED MY BRIDE’S PLANPART 1 — TEN MINUTES BEFORE THE VOWS“Daddy, if you marry he...

“The ledger.”

Then the call disconnected.