Chapter 7 - THE GRANDMOTHER’S LIE

The courthouse hearing happened that afternoon.

Margaret Hale entered wearing a dark navy suit.

She looked nothing like a fugitive.

She looked like what she had always been.

Elegant.

Controlled.

Untouchable.

Victor stood when she entered.

“You threatened Ethan.”

Margaret didn’t look at him.

“I protected him.”

Rebecca whispered.

“Don’t engage.”

Margaret’s attorney argued that Victor’s judgment had become unstable.

A warehouse had burned.

A violent suspect had entered his home.

His nanny had concealed her identity.

And Ethan had been endangered.

Margaret requested temporary custody.

Victor could barely remain seated.

Then Rebecca stood.

“Your Honor, we have an audio recording.”

Margaret finally looked at Victor.

The recording played.

Her voice filled the courtroom.

“Amelia made the mistake of asking questions.”

“Ethan won’t get the same opportunity.”

The judge looked at Margaret.

Her attorney immediately objected.

Margaret rose.

“I can explain.”

The judge’s expression hardened.

“I strongly suggest you do.”

Margaret looked at Victor.

“Daniel Cross killed Amelia.”

Victor froze.

The courtroom erupted in whispers.

Margaret continued.

“I discovered the theft after Amelia did.”

“Daniel threatened all of us.”

“You joined him,” Victor said.

“I pretended to.”

“For two years?”

“Yes.”

Victor laughed bitterly.

“You expect me to believe that?”

Margaret reached into her bag.

The bailiff immediately approached.

She slowly removed an envelope.

“Daniel has people inside Hale Holdings.”

“People inside your security team.”

“People who knew where Ethan slept.”

“I stayed close because I needed to know what Daniel planned.”

Victor stared at her.

“And Serena?”

Margaret’s face tightened.

“Serena was supposed to help me expose him.”

“She changed sides.”

Rebecca opened the envelope.

Inside was a list of names.

Seven Hale executives.

Two security employees.

One private physician.

And Daniel Cross.

At the bottom was another name.

Marcus Reed.

Victor turned.

Marcus stood at the back of the courtroom.

Their eyes met.

Marcus immediately ran.

“Stop him!”

Two officers chased him.

Marcus slammed through the courtroom doors.

Victor looked at Margaret.

She whispered.

“That’s why Serena always knew where Ethan was.”

A gunshot cracked outside the courtroom.

Everyone ducked.

Victor ran toward the door.

Marcus lay in the hallway.

Alive.

Bleeding from the shoulder.

Detective Brooks stood over him.

“He reached for his weapon.”

Marcus laughed weakly.

Victor grabbed his jacket.

“Where is Daniel?”

Marcus smiled through the pain.

“You still think Daniel is running this?”

Victor froze.

Marcus whispered.

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