Chapter 5 - The Woman Victoria Tried To Silence
The woman walked slowly into the ballroom.
Her hands were shaking.
But her voice was steady.
"My name is Eleanor Hayes."
Nobody recognized her.
Except Victoria.
And the fear on Victoria's face told everyone enough.
Liam stepped forward.
"Who are you?"
Eleanor looked at Victoria.
"I was your father's personal assistant for nineteen years."
Liam froze.
"My father never mentioned you."
A painful smile appeared on Eleanor's face.
"Because your mother made sure he couldn't."
Victoria immediately stepped forward.
"This woman is unstable."
Eleanor laughed softly.
"That is exactly what you told everyone twenty years ago."
The guests looked between them.
Avery felt a strange feeling.
The pieces were finally connecting.
Liam stared at his mother.
"What happened twenty years ago?"
Victoria looked away.
"Nothing."
Eleanor opened her folder.
"Everything."
She removed several documents.
"These are the original copies of Charles Sterling's estate plans."
Liam took them.
His eyes moved across the pages.
Then stopped.
"What..."
His voice broke.
Avery moved closer.
"What does it say?"
Liam looked at her.
"He left control of Sterling Financial to me."
Everyone went silent.
Victoria interrupted.
"Because you were a child."
Liam looked at her.
"No."
He flipped the page.
"Because he believed you were dangerous."
Victoria's face hardened.
"Watch your words."
Liam continued reading.
"He wrote that if anything happened to him, all financial decisions should be reviewed."
Eleanor nodded.
"Your father suspected someone was manipulating company records."
Damian looked at Victoria.
"And he was right."
Victoria's eyes turned cold.
"You all think you understand."
She looked at Liam.
"You think your father was a saint?"
Liam frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Victoria stepped closer.
"Ask Avery."
Avery froze.
"What?"
Victoria smiled.
"Ask her why Damian Cross knows her."
Everyone turned toward Avery again.
Liam's expression changed.
Avery felt the same pain she had felt earlier.
The feeling of being attacked from every direction.
"Victoria..."
"No."
Victoria raised her voice.
"Tell them."
Avery looked at Liam.
Then Damian.
Then the entire room.
There was no more hiding.
"I met Damian before."
Liam's face fell slightly.
"When?"
Avery took a breath.
"Before I met you."
The room exploded with whispers.
Liam stared at her.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Avery swallowed.
"Because I was afraid."
"Afraid of what?"
She looked at Victoria.
"Because your mother threatened me."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Liam turned slowly.
"What?"
Avery's eyes filled with tears.
"Three years ago, after our engagement, Victoria found out Damian was helping my father's company."
Liam frowned.
"My father?"
Avery nodded.
"Your family destroyed my father's business."
Liam looked shocked.
"I didn't know."
"I know."
She touched his arm.
"I knew you didn't."
Victoria laughed.
"So now I'm the villain?"
Avery looked at her.
"You have always been the villain."
The words hit harder than anyone expected.
Victoria's face changed.
Then suddenly...
The lights in the ballroom went out.
Everyone screamed.
Avery grabbed Leo.
Security rushed forward.
And in the darkness...
Someone whispered beside her.
"Don't trust anyone in this room."
Avery froze.
May you like
Because she recognized the voice.
It was Liam.
