CHAPTER 9 — The Bullet in the Smoke
CHAPTER 9 — The Bullet in the Smoke
The gunshot exploded through the corridor.
Alexander turned his body, shielding Eleanor.
Clara screamed.
But Alexander did not fall.
Dr. Hale looked down in shock.
Blood spread across his own chest.
Behind him stood Mrs. Turner, the elderly housekeeper, holding a small revolver with trembling hands.
“I raised Alexander,” she said. “I won’t let you destroy him.”
Dr. Hale collapsed.
Vanessa dropped the lighter and ran.
Security guards chased her through the smoke.
Alexander carried Eleanor toward the exit while Clara stayed beside them.
They emerged into the rain moments before flames consumed the upper floor.
Paramedics rushed forward.
Eleanor was placed on a stretcher.
Amelia stood beside a security vehicle, wrapped in a blanket.
When she saw Eleanor, she walked closer.
“Who is she?”
Alexander knelt beside his daughter.
“Her name is Eleanor.”
Amelia studied the injured woman’s face.
Eleanor lifted one trembling hand.
“My baby.”
Amelia looked at Margaret.
Margaret nodded through tears.
“She is your birth mother.”
Amelia moved slowly toward the stretcher.
Eleanor touched her cheek.
“You have my mother’s eyes.”
Amelia began to cry.
“Why didn’t you come get me?”
Eleanor’s face crumpled.
“I tried every day.”
Amelia climbed beside her and held her hand.
Across the parking area, two security guards dragged Vanessa from the woods.
Her cream dress was torn and covered with mud.
She looked at Alexander with hatred.
“You think this makes you a hero?”
“No.”
“You abandoned Eleanor. You ignored your children. You married me because it was convenient.”
Alexander absorbed every word.
Because some of it was true.
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“I only did what your family taught me. Protect the name. Protect the fortune. Remove the weakness.”
“You stole a child.”
“I gave her a home.”
“You imprisoned her mother.”
“I kept your empire alive.”
Alexander stepped closer.
“My empire was never worth this.”
Vanessa looked at Eleanor.
“Then give it back.”
Alexander frowned.
Vanessa smiled.
“That’s what she hasn’t told you. If Eleanor produces the original contract, Whitmore Industries belongs to the Bennett family.”
Alexander glanced toward Eleanor.
She did not deny it.
Vanessa leaned closer.
“You will lose everything.”
Alexander looked at his sons arriving with Mrs. Turner.
Noah and Nicholas ran into his arms.
Then he looked at Amelia holding Eleanor’s hand.
May you like
Finally, he faced Vanessa.
“No,” he said. “I already found what matters.”
