Chapter 12 - THE NIGHT OF THE FIREEleanor told us everything.
Thirty years earlier, Robert had discovered the trust.
He wanted the company immediately.
Jonathan refused.
Eleanor tried to expose him.
Robert attacked her.
A fire started at the estate.
Everyone believed Eleanor died.
Everyone believed Robert died.
Jonathan disappeared.
Mother took the twins.
And Diane began building her own empire inside Vale Meridian.
But there was one detail missing.
“Why did Grandfather hide the truth?”
I asked.
Eleanor answered:
“Because Robert had evidence that could destroy the company.”
“What evidence?”
“A recording.”
Of what?
Eleanor didn't know.
But Robert had used it to blackmail everyone.
That was why people disappeared.
That was why witnesses died.
That was why Diane needed the trust.
The company wasn't merely corrupt.
Its foundation was criminal.
I looked at Ryan.
“Did you know?”
“I knew there was something.”
“Not this?”
“No.”
I believed him.
For the first time.
Then the house lights went out.
Eleanor whispered:
“He's here.”
Robert.
The windows shattered.
Security guards entered.
Gunfire erupted.
Ethan pushed Lily behind a wall.
Ryan grabbed me.
“Basement.”
We ran.
But Robert was waiting.
He stood in the doorway.
Gun in hand.
“Claire.”
I stopped.
“You want answers?”
“Yes.”
“Then come with me.”
Ryan stepped forward.
“No.”
Robert smiled.
“You always were your father's son.”
Then he shot Ryan.
Ryan collapsed.
“RYAN!”
I ran toward him.
Robert grabbed me.
He pressed the gun to my temple.
“Now we talk.”
We entered the basement.
Robert locked the door.
He placed an old cassette recorder on the table.
“Your grandfather recorded everything.”
He pressed play.
A man's voice filled the room.
My grandfather.
He was speaking to Robert.
“You cannot have control of the trust.”
Robert's voice answered.
“Then I'll take it.”
“You'll destroy the family.”
Robert laughed.
“I already have.”
Then another voice.
Diane.
My heart stopped.
She was there that night.
She had known.
She had helped Robert.
The recording continued.
Robert said:
“Kill Jonathan.”
Diane answered:
“And the girls?”
“Separate them.”
My stomach twisted.
Robert turned off the recorder.
“You understand now.”
“You destroyed my family.”
“No.”
He smiled.
“Your family destroyed itself.”
“You killed Eleanor.”
“No.”
He stepped closer.
“Eleanor survived.”
I looked toward the hidden room.
He opened a second door.
Eleanor was there.
Alive.
Bound.
Robert had taken her.
“You see,” he said.
“I don't need the trust.”
He held up a syringe.
“I need your blood.”
I backed away.
“What happens if I refuse?”
He smiled.
“Lily dies.”
“Where is she?”
A speaker crackled.
Lily's voice screamed.
“Claire!”
I closed my eyes.
Robert whispered:
“Choose.”
I looked at him.
Then at the syringe.
And understood.
He had made one mistake.
He thought I was still the woman who sat quietly at Diane's table.
He didn't know what the soup had changed.
I lunged.
The syringe flew.
We crashed into the table.
The recorder fell.
The basement door burst open.
Ethan.
Mother.
Hale.
Ryan.
Alive.
Robert looked toward the door.
And smiled.
“You're too late.”
May you like
He pressed a button.
The house began to burn.
