Chapter 10: The Man Behind the Fire
Chapter 10: The Man Behind the Fire
The hotel was evacuated.
Mary stood on the sidewalk in her wedding gown while firefighters surrounded the burning car.
Reporters shouted questions.
Daniel tried to approach her, but security kept him back.
Sophia had been taken to an ambulance.
Victoria sat inside a police vehicle, calmly speaking with her attorney.
Charles stood alone, staring at the wreckage of his family.
A firefighter approached Mary.
“The vehicle was empty.”
“What caused the fire?”
“We found evidence of an incendiary device.”
The detective joined them.
“This was deliberate.”
Mary looked toward the hotel entrance.
“Who had access to the garage?”
“Staff, guests with executive passes and your father’s security team.”
Richard heard the last sentence.
“Are you accusing me?”
Mary studied him.
“Did you know about the fake marriage certificate?”
“No.”
“Did you hide my mother’s will?”
“I delayed it.”
“That was not my question.”
Richard’s face tightened.
“Yes.”
“Then stop acting offended when I doubt you.”
He looked wounded, but Mary had no sympathy left to offer.
Her phone rang from a blocked number.
She answered.
A distorted voice spoke.
“If you want the original folder, go to your mother’s old house.”
Mary’s blood turned cold.
The house had been empty for eleven years.
“Who is this?”
“Ask Richard what happened the night your mother died.”
The call ended.
Mary looked at her father.
His expression revealed too much.
“What happened that night?”
Richard glanced at the detective.
“Not here.”
“You’ve said that before.”
“Mary, please.”
She stepped closer.
“Was my mother’s death an accident?”
Richard did not answer.
That was enough.
Mary pulled away from him.
“You told me she fell asleep while driving.”
“She did.”
“Then why is someone connecting her death to these documents?”
Richard lowered his voice.
“Your mother had discovered fraud inside Harrington Capital years before Daniel met you.”
Mary stared at him.
“She knew Victoria?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“They were business partners.”
Mary’s mind raced.
Her mother had owned controlling shares in Caldwell Technologies. She had uncovered fraud tied to the Harrington family.
Then she died.
Years later, Daniel appeared, courted Mary and proposed a merger.
None of it felt accidental anymore.
Richard continued.
“After your mother died, I buried the investigation. I thought I was protecting you.”
“You protected yourself.”
“I was afraid.”
“So was Sophia. She still kept evidence.”
Richard looked away.
Mary stepped toward the waiting car.
“I’m going to the house.”
The detective shook his head. “Not alone.”
Mary glanced at Daniel.
He stood several yards away, listening.
Then he suddenly shouted.
“Mary, don’t go there!”
Everyone turned.
Daniel struggled against the guards.
“My mother used that house before.”
Mary stared at him.
“For what?”
May you like
Daniel’s face collapsed.
“To meet the man who killed your mother.”
