Chapter 9 - The Betrayal Nobody Expected
Emma locked herself inside the room.
Victoria knocked.
“Emma.”
No answer.
“Emma, please.”
Still nothing.
Inside, Emma sat on the floor.
Her father’s letter was open in front of her.
Every word felt impossible.
Every person she trusted had become a question mark.
Andrew.
Victoria.
Her grandfather.
Her own family.
Everyone had secrets.
Everyone had chosen what she deserved to know.
Except her.
She wiped her tears.
Then she read the final paragraph.
There is one person who knows the entire truth.
The person who caused everything.
Find the woman named Evelyn.
Emma froze.
Evelyn.
The name meant nothing.
Then suddenly…
A memory.
A woman from childhood.
A woman her parents trusted.
A woman who disappeared after the accident.
Emma opened the door.
Victoria was standing outside.
“We need to talk.”
Emma looked at her.
“Yes.”
Victoria noticed something.
“What happened?”
Emma held up the letter.
“My father mentioned someone.”
Victoria’s face changed.
“Who?”
Emma watched her carefully.
“Evelyn.”
The reaction was instant.
Victoria went pale.
And Emma saw it.
Fear.
Real fear.
“You know her.”
Victoria said nothing.
“Victoria.”
The attorney slowly sat down.
“Yes.”
“Who is she?”
Victoria looked at Emma.
“The woman who destroyed your family.”
---
At the same time…
Andrew arrived at an old private residence outside Manhattan.
The door opened.
An elderly woman stood there.
Her eyes widened.
“You look like him.”
Andrew stared.
“Like who?”
The woman whispered:
“Charles.”
Andrew froze.
“Who are you?”
The woman looked past him.
As if expecting someone else.
“You’re too late.”
Andrew stepped forward.
“I need answers.”
The woman laughed sadly.
“Everyone comes looking for answers when it is already too late.”
“Tell me about Emma Carter.”
The woman’s expression changed.
“You married her.”
“Yes.”
“Then you know what you did.”
Andrew’s face hardened.
“I didn’t kill anyone.”
The woman stared at him.
“I didn’t say you did.”
A pause.
“I said your family did.”
Andrew felt a chill.
“What happened that night?”
The woman looked away.
“Your father discovered the truth.”
“What truth?”
“That Emma’s parents were planning to expose him.”
Andrew whispered:
“Expose him for what?”
The woman answered:
“For stealing the Carter empire.”
---
That night, Emma received a final message.
Not from Andrew.
Not from Victoria.
From the unknown number.
One sentence.
Your husband was not the only person who wanted you powerless.
Emma stared.
Another message appeared.
The woman protecting you was there when your parents died.
Emma slowly looked toward Victoria’s office.
The lights were still on.
Victoria was inside.
Working.
Helping.
Protecting.
Or hiding.
Emma walked toward the door.
Her hand touched the handle.
Then she stopped.
Because for the first time…
May you like
She was not afraid of Andrew Weston.
She was afraid of the woman standing on her side.
