Chapter 9 - THE EVIDENCE THAT COULD DESTROY EVERYTHING
The room was completely dark.
Elena and Margaret stood hidden behind the large curtains.
Victoria walked slowly through the office.
Her heels clicked against the marble floor.
“You know what I find fascinating?”
No one answered.
Victoria smiled.
“People always think secrets are hidden because they are protected.”
She touched the safe.
“But sometimes…”
She paused.
“They are hidden because nobody is brave enough to look.”
Elena felt Margaret’s hand shaking.
Victoria knew.
She knew someone was there.
“You should come out.”
Silence.
“I’m not angry.”
Victoria laughed softly.
“I’m impressed.”
Elena knew better.
This woman was never impressed.
She was dangerous.
Suddenly, Victoria reached for the light switch.
Before she could turn it on, Margaret stepped forward.
“Enough.”
Victoria stopped.
Her expression changed.
“Margaret.”
The older woman walked into the light.
“You did this to Charles.”
Victoria stared.
Then she smiled.
“I wondered when you would finally understand.”
Elena stepped out behind Margaret.
Victoria looked at her.
The smile disappeared.
“You.”
Elena held the flash drive.
“You should have never threatened my daughter.”
For the first time, Victoria looked angry.
Real anger.
“You have no idea what you’re dealing with.”
Margaret looked at her.
“We know exactly what we’re dealing with.”
Victoria laughed.
“No.”
She stepped closer.
“You know what I allowed you to know.”
Then she pressed a button on her phone.
Instantly, the office door locked.
Elena’s stomach dropped.
Victoria looked at both women.
“You walked into my trap.”
“What did you do?” Margaret asked.
Victoria smiled.
“I called Ethan.”
Elena froze.
“You called him?”
“Yes.”
Victoria lifted her phone.
“He’s on his way.”
Margaret looked confused.
“Why?”
Victoria’s smile returned.
“Because I told him I caught the maid stealing confidential family documents.”
Elena felt the room spin.
“No.”
Victoria moved closer.
“And when he arrives…”
She whispered:
“He won’t see a woman exposing a crime.”
A pause.
“He’ll see a servant trying to destroy his family.”
Minutes later, footsteps echoed outside.
Ethan.
Elena looked at Margaret.
They both knew.
If Ethan believed Victoria…
Everything was over.
The door opened.
Ethan stood there.
His eyes moved from Victoria…
To Margaret…
To Elena holding the evidence.
Victoria immediately ran toward him.
“Ethan…”
Her voice broke perfectly.
“She was stealing from us.”
Ethan looked shocked.
“Elena?”
Elena opened her mouth.
But before she could speak, Victoria interrupted.
“She found private documents and threatened me.”
Ethan stared at Elena.
The woman who had worked for his family for years.
The woman who had always been loyal.
Then he looked at Victoria.
The woman he planned to marry.
For one terrifying moment…
Nobody knew who he believed.
Then Ethan slowly walked toward Elena.
And said:
“Give me the flash drive.”
Elena’s heart sank.
May you like
Because she couldn’t tell if he wanted the truth…
Or if Victoria had already won.
