Chapter 14 - THE FINAL CONFRONTATION
Victor Hale stood in the middle of the penthouse like he owned the place.
Like he had been waiting for this moment.
My fear disappeared.
Something stronger replaced it.
Anger.
“You ruined my family.”
Victor smiled.
“Your family ruined itself.”
Daniel stepped forward.
“You’re done, Victor.”
Victor laughed.
“Still protecting the Carters after all these years?”
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“You destroyed innocent people.”
Victor looked at me.
“No.”
He pointed at me.
“Your father did.”
My hands tightened.
“Don’t talk about my father.”
Victor walked closer.
“He lied to you your entire life.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
“He never told you why your mother left.”
The room became silent.
My heart stopped.
“What?”
Victor smiled.
“There are still things you don’t know.”
Daniel immediately interrupted.
“Don’t listen to him.”
But I looked at Victor.
“What happened to my mother?”
Victor’s smile faded slightly.
Because he realized he had my attention.
“Your father wanted you to believe she abandoned you.”
I felt sick.
“Stop.”
“But the truth is…”
Victor paused.
“She discovered what your father was doing.”
Daniel stepped forward.
“That’s enough.”
Victor laughed.
“Still protecting secrets?”
I looked at Daniel.
“What is he talking about?”
Daniel was silent.
And once again…
Silence became an answer.
I felt betrayed all over again.
“Daniel?”
He looked at me.
“I was trying to protect you.”
“By lying to me?”
He had no response.
Victor smiled.
“Everyone lies, Emily.”
I looked at him.
“No.”
My voice became stronger.
“They lie because they’re afraid.”
Victor raised an eyebrow.
“And you’re not?”
I stepped closer.
“I was afraid.”
I looked around the room.
“I was afraid when Jason betrayed me.”
“I was afraid when I found out people were using me.”
“I was afraid when I realized everyone knew more than I did.”
I looked directly at Victor.
“But I’m not afraid of you anymore.”
For the first time, his expression changed.
A small crack in his confidence.
Daniel suddenly connected the USB drive.
A file appeared.
Victor’s face changed.
“No.”
Daniel pressed play.
A recording began.
Victor’s own voice filled the room.
“I’ll take everything from Michael Carter. His company. His money. His daughter’s trust.”
Everyone heard it.
Every word.
Victor’s plan.
His confession.
His revenge.
Victor lunged toward the laptop.
But the police officers waiting outside entered immediately.
“Victor Hale.”
His face turned pale.
“You set me up.”
I looked at him.
“No.”
I held up the USB drive.
“My father did.”
Victor stared at me.
And for the first time…
He looked defeated.
As the officers took him away, he turned back.
“This isn’t over.”
I watched him disappear.
But this time, I wasn’t scared.
May you like
Because the truth was finally on my side.
TO BE CONTINUED...
