Chapter 11 - THE TRAP CLOSES
By morning, Victor Blackwood was the story.
News vans surrounded his mansion.
Headlines screamed his name.
Mafia Boss Investigated in Wife’s Death.
Fiancée Held Against Her Will.
Nanny Claims Child Abuse.
Was Blackwood Family Drama Staged?
Hale stood before cameras.
“My only concern is the welfare of an innocent child.”
Lily nearly threw the remote across the hospital room.
“He tried to kill Ethan!”
Victor stood near the window.
“He doesn’t need people to believe him forever.”
Lily frowned.
“Then why do this?”
“He needs them to doubt me long enough.”
“For the transfer?”
Victor nodded.
If Victor was detained, temporary corporate authority would pass according to an emergency succession plan.
To Daniel.
But Daniel was hospitalized.
The next name?
Councilman Richard Hale, acting as outside trustee.
Anna had added Hale years ago when she still trusted him.
“He planned everything.”
Lily whispered.
Victor looked at Ethan.
“For a very long time.”
Police arrived with a warrant.
Victor didn’t resist.
Lily grabbed his arm.
“No.”
Victor looked at her.
“They want you arrested.”
“I know.”
“Hale will get Ethan.”
“No.”
Victor handed her an envelope.
“You will.”
Lily stared at it.
“What?”
“Temporary guardianship.”
Her eyes widened.
“Victor, I’m his nanny.”
“You’re the person he trusts.”
“I can’t—”
“You can.”
Victor lowered his voice.
“And Hale won’t expect it.”
He walked away in handcuffs.
Lily watched through the hospital window as cameras exploded with flashes.
For the first time since she had met him, Victor looked powerless.
But he wasn’t.
Not completely.
At police headquarters, Detective Reed placed Victor in an interview room.
Then she closed the door.
“There’s no murder charge.”
Victor looked at her.
“I know.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“You knew?”
“Hale wanted me here.”
“And you came anyway.”
Victor leaned back.
“Because Hale thinks you’re corrupt.”
Reed almost smiled.
“That annoys me.”
“It should.”
Their plan was simple.
Let Hale believe Victor was trapped.
Let him move.
At noon, Hale entered Blackwood Holdings carrying emergency authorization papers.
Marcus was waiting.
So were federal investigators.
Hale stopped.
“What is this?”
Marcus smiled.
“The end of your morning.”
But Hale didn’t panic.
Instead, he laughed.
“You think this is about money?”
Marcus’s smile disappeared.
Hale placed a phone on the table.
A live video appeared.
Lily.
She was leaving the hospital with Ethan.
Behind her, a nurse pushed a wheelchair.
A man in scrubs approached from the side.
Marcus leaned closer.
The man removed his surgical mask.
Dr. Kessler.
Hale smiled.
“Victor should have worried less about me.”
May you like
On the screen, Kessler reached toward Ethan.
“And more about who was standing beside his son.”
