Chapter 14 - THE LAST MOVE
Richard Blackwell’s estate looked exactly like I imagined.
Cold.
Perfect.
Expensive.
A place built by someone who wanted the world to know they had power.
Michael’s team surrounded the property before we entered.
I stayed in the car.
At least, that was the plan.
“I’m coming with you.”
Michael looked at me.
“No.”
“I’m the reason he’s doing this.”
“That’s exactly why you stay here.”
I shook my head.
“Michael.”
He stopped.
I looked at him.
“My father spent his whole life protecting me.”
A pause.
“But I’m done hiding.”
For a moment, Michael said nothing.
Then he nodded.
“Stay close.”
We entered the house.
The silence was unsettling.
No guards.
No resistance.
Nothing.
Almost like Richard wanted us there.
We found Daniel in the basement.
He was sitting in a chair.
Alive.
But injured.
“Daniel.”
He looked up.
When he saw me…
Shame crossed his face.
“Emma.”
I wanted to hate him.
I tried.
But seeing him broken reminded me of something.
People could make terrible choices.
And still regret them.
Michael helped him stand.
“Where is Richard?”
Daniel laughed weakly.
“He’s waiting.”
The lights suddenly turned on.
A voice came from the speakers.
“I was wondering when you would finally come.”
Richard.
My entire body froze.
He stepped out from the shadows.
Older than the pictures.
But still confident.
Still arrogant.
He looked at me.
“Emma Carter.”
I stared at him.
“You killed my father.”
Richard smiled.
“No.”
The answer came too quickly.
“I finished what he started.”
My anger exploded.
“You destroyed my family.”
Richard walked closer.
“Your father destroyed mine.”
Michael stepped forward.
“James saved that company from you.”
Richard laughed.
“Saved?”
His eyes turned cold.
“He stole everything from me.”
“That’s not true.”
Richard looked at me.
“You believe that because your father wanted you to.”
I shook my head.
“You’re lying.”
“Am I?”
He reached into his jacket.
And pulled out a document.
My father’s signature.
I stared.
“What is that?”
Richard smiled.
“The truth.”
Michael immediately stepped forward.
“Don’t listen to him.”
Richard ignored him.
“Your father knew he was dying.”
My heart stopped.
“What?”
“He knew.”
Richard looked at me.
“And he left you something.”
“What?”
“A choice.”
I frowned.
“What choice?”
Richard smiled.
“The same choice he gave me twenty years ago.”
He threw the document onto the table.
“Join me.”
Silence.
I stared at him.
“You’re insane.”
Richard smiled.
“Maybe.”
Then he leaned closer.
“But I’m not wrong.”
He pointed at Daniel.
“Your husband betrayed you.”
He pointed at Michael.
“Your father’s friend hid the truth.”
Then he looked at me.
“Everyone around you lied.”
My heart hurt.
Because that part was true.
Almost everyone had.
Richard continued.
“The only person who never lied to you…”
He paused.
“Was me.”
I almost laughed.
“You don’t even know me.”
Richard smiled.
“No.”
He looked at me carefully.
“But I knew your father.”
Then he whispered:
“And I know what he did the night he died.”
My blood ran cold.
“What are you talking about?”
Richard looked toward Michael.
And Michael suddenly went silent.
That scared me.
Because Michael knew something.
Something he never told me.
Richard smiled.
“Ask him.”
I turned slowly.
“Michael?”
He looked away.
My heart sank.
“What did my father do?”
Michael didn’t answer.
And Richard smiled.
Because he knew…
May you like
He had finally found the one secret that could break me.
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