Chapter 11 - PROJECT EVE“Mercer!”
I ran toward him.
Blood spread across his shirt.
He was alive.
Barely.
Nathan pointed the gun toward me.
“Stop.”
Eleanor stepped into the chamber.
She was older than I expected.
But her eyes were sharp.
“You resemble your mother.”
I stared.
“You killed her.”
“No.”
“She said you wanted to control me.”
Eleanor smiled.
“She was dramatic.”
“What is Project Eve?”
Eleanor's expression changed.
“Perception.”
She approached the glass chamber.
“Do you know how empires survive?”
“Money?”
“Information.”
She touched the glass.
“Your mother developed a system capable of predicting financial collapses.”
I stared.
“A machine?”
“A system.”
“Why me?”
“Because your mother designed the final authentication layer using your DNA.”
My stomach turned.
“You turned me into a key.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted control of the world's largest private financial network.”
My father had spent decades building Calder Dominion.
But Eleanor wanted something larger.
“A system controlling banks, shipping, media and intelligence.”
I looked at my mother.
“She refused.”
“Yes.”
“So you hunted her.”
“She escaped.”
Nathan stepped forward.
“She ruined everything.”
Eleanor looked at him.
“You were useful.”
Nathan's expression changed.
“Useful?”
“You were never my partner.”
“You promised me Calder.”
“I promised nothing.”
Nathan raised his gun.
Eleanor remained calm.
“You're making a mistake.”
Nathan aimed at her.
I realized what was happening.
He wanted to overthrow her.
“You've been using him.”
Eleanor smiled.
“Everyone uses everyone.”
Nathan pointed at me.
“Give me the access code.”
“I don't know it.”
“You do.”
“No.”
He grabbed my arm.
“Your mother knows.”
My mother opened her eyes.
“Don't.”
I ran toward the chamber.
Nathan dragged me backward.
“Tell her.”
My mother shook her head.
“Isabella, listen.”
Nathan pressed the gun against my temple.
“The code.”
My mother looked at me.
Then she smiled.
A strange, peaceful smile.
“Your father was right.”
“What?”
“He always loved you.”
Nathan frowned.
“What does that matter?”
My mother looked directly at me.
“The code isn't in her blood.”
Silence.
Eleanor stiffened.
“What?”
My mother laughed.
“It never was.”
Nathan looked confused.
“My system was designed to make you believe Isabella was the key.”
Eleanor stepped forward.
“Then where is the key?”
My mother smiled.
“With Victor.”
Nathan's face changed.
“No.”
My mother continued.
“He doesn't need Isabella.”
“Then who?”
She looked toward the ceiling.
“The person who built Project Eve with me.”
Eleanor's expression changed.
“Impossible.”
A hidden speaker activated.
Victor's voice.
“Hello, Eleanor.”
My heart stopped.
My father.
He wasn't in prison.
The arrest had been staged.
Security doors slammed open.
Victor entered with armed federal agents.
Eleanor stepped backward.
“You tricked me.”
My father smiled.
“You underestimated my daughter.”
Nathan raised his gun.
Agents shouted.
“Drop it!”
He fired.
A bullet struck Eleanor.
She fell.
Nathan turned toward me.
My father shot him in the shoulder.
He collapsed.
I ran toward my mother.
The chamber opened.
She fell into my arms.
“Mom.”
She whispered:
“I'm sorry.”
I cried.
“Why did you leave me?”
“To keep you alive.”
“From Eleanor?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“Then who?”
My mother's eyes moved toward Victor.
I looked back.
My father stood frozen.
My mother whispered:
“From the people who created us.”
“Who?”
She took my hand.
“Your grandfather.”
I stared.
“My grandfather?”
She nodded.
“He isn't dead.”
Behind us, Victor closed his eyes.
Then the building alarms began screaming.
Mercer shouted:
“Everyone out!”
The entire facility shook.
Explosions echoed underground.
My father grabbed my arm.
“We have to go.”
I looked at my mother.
“Why is he blowing up his own facility?”
My father answered.
“Because someone else has activated the system.”
“Who?”
The lights went red.
Every screen turned black.
May you like
Then one sentence appeared.
PROJECT EVE HAS BEGUN.
