Chapter 11 - THE SECRET ROOM UNDER THE MERCER MANSION
The hidden room was smaller than Claire expected.
After everything she had seen...
she expected something impossible.
Instead, it looked like a normal office.
Computers.
Security screens.
Emergency supplies.
A place built for one reason.
Survival.
Lily sat in Claire's arms, shaking.
"Daddy?"
Adrian immediately turned.
"I'm here."
"Are the bad people coming?"
Adrian stopped.
Because he hated lying to his daughter.
But he hated frightening her more.
"No one is touching you."
His voice was calm.
"I promise."
Claire noticed something.
Every time Adrian promised Lily something...
it wasn't casual.
It was a vow.
Marcus entered the room.
"Three intruders eliminated."
Claire looked shocked.
"Eliminated?"
Marcus didn't answer.
Adrian did.
"Are we clear?"
"For now."
The words didn't comfort anyone.
Claire looked at Adrian.
"Tell me the truth."
He looked at her.
"About what?"
"Everything."
A pause.
"The video."
Silence.
"Rebecca."
Adrian looked away.
"I don't know what to believe."
"Then tell me what you do know."
He sat down.
For once...
he looked tired.
"My wife disappeared."
Claire frowned.
"Disappeared?"
"The night before she died."
She froze.
"What?"
Adrian looked at her.
"The hospital records said she passed away."
"But?"
"But I never saw her body."
Claire stared.
"You went to a funeral without seeing her?"
His jaw tightened.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because my father controlled everything."
The room became quiet.
Claire looked at Lily.
Then back at Adrian.
"You thought she was dead."
"Yes."
"And now?"
Adrian looked at the black screen where Rebecca appeared.
"Now I don't know anything."
A noise interrupted them.
One of the monitors turned on.
Everyone turned.
A message appeared.
No video.
No picture.
Just words.
COME ALONE, ADRIAN.
Marcus immediately shook his head.
"Absolutely not."
Adrian ignored him.
"Where?"
Another message appeared.
THE OLD MERCER FACTORY.
Claire grabbed his arm.
"No."
Adrian looked at her.
"Claire."
"It's a trap."
"I know."
"Then don't go."
His eyes softened.
"You think I can ignore a chance to find Lily's mother?"
Claire didn't answer.
Because she understood.
He couldn't.
Nobody could.
But she also knew something else.
Victor wanted him alone.
Which meant Victor was planning something.
"I’m coming with you."
Adrian immediately said:
"No."
"Yes."
"Claire."
"No."
Her voice shook.
"But every time someone you love is in danger, you run toward it."
She stepped closer.
"You don't get to tell me not to do the same."
Adrian stared at her.
For a moment...
he saw something he never expected.
Someone who wasn't afraid of him.
Someone who chose him.
Finally, he whispered:
"You make this very difficult."
Claire gave a small smile.
"Good."
For the first time that night...
Adrian almost smiled.
Almost.
Then Marcus interrupted.
"We have another problem."
Everyone turned.
"What?"
Marcus looked at Adrian.
"The person who helped Victor enter the house..."
A pause.
"We found them."
Adrian's face hardened.
"Who?"
Marcus hesitated.
Then:
"Someone from inside the Mercer family."
Claire felt cold.
"Who?"
May you like
Marcus looked at Adrian.
"Your mother."
