Chapter 10 - The Family WarNobody moved.
Richard's gun remained pointed toward Isabella.
Nathan stepped between them.
“Put it down.”
Richard laughed.
“You've never understood what love costs.”
Nathan's father stood nearby.
His expression was cold.
“Enough sentimental nonsense.”
Nathan stared at him.
“You're alive.”
“Yes.”
“You knew what they were doing.”
“Yes.”
“You let me believe you were dead.”
“You were safer.”
Nathan laughed bitterly.
“Safer?”
Alexander stepped forward.
“Your father has always been weak.”
“He's stronger than you.”
Alexander's smile vanished.
“Careful.”
Celeste moved beside Isabella.
“Father, this ends tonight.”
Richard looked at her.
“No.”
He gestured toward the staircase.
“That is where everything began.”
He pointed at Isabella.
“Your mother betrayed me there.”
Helena stepped forward.
“She didn't betray you.”
“She chose her children over me.”
“And that made you hate them.”
Richard's expression hardened.
“I did what was necessary.”
Isabella finally spoke.
“You pushed Mother down the same stairs?”
Richard looked at her.
“No.”
He smiled.
“I had someone else do it.”
Helena closed her eyes.
Isabella's blood ran cold.
“Who?”
Richard looked at Celeste.
“She knows.”
Celeste began trembling.
“No.”
Richard nodded.
“You were there.”
Celeste whispered:
“I was twelve.”
“You watched.”
“I thought she was already dead.”
“You watched.”
Tears streamed down Celeste's face.
“I didn't know what you were going to do.”
Richard turned toward Isabella.
“Your mother survived.”
Helena stepped forward.
“And you buried me alive.”
“I needed everyone to believe I was dead.”
“Why?”
“Because I knew you would expose me.”
Helena stared at him.
“You destroyed your own family.”
Richard answered softly.
“I built it.”
Alexander suddenly raised his gun toward Richard.
“Enough.”
Richard looked at him.
“You think you control this.”
“No.”
Alexander smiled.
“I know I do.”
He turned toward Isabella.
“The company belongs to you.”
Richard laughed.
“Not without the original trust.”
Isabella frowned.
“What trust?”
Helena answered.
“Your grandfather's trust.”
Richard's smile disappeared.
“The original inheritance document was never destroyed.”
Alexander nodded.
“And Isabella is named as sole beneficiary.”
Richard raised his gun.
“No.”
Alexander pointed his weapon.
“Yes.”
Two guns.
Two brothers.
One family.
Nathan grabbed Isabella.
“Get down!”
Gunshots erupted.
The chandelier shattered.
Everyone screamed.
Glass rained onto the marble floor.
Richard fired toward Alexander.
Alexander fired back.
Helena collapsed.
“Mom!”
Isabella ran to her.
But Helena wasn't bleeding.
She was holding something.
A small silver key.
She pushed it into Isabella's hand.
“Go to the clock room.”
“Why?”
“Because the truth is there.”
Then Helena whispered:
“Your father is not the real mastermind.”
Isabella stared.
“Who is?”
Helena looked toward the staircase.
“The person who pushed you.”
Isabella turned.
Celeste stood there.
But she wasn't alone.
Someone had a hand around her throat.
A woman stepped from the shadows.
She looked exactly like Celeste.
Celine.
May you like
Alive.
And she was smiling.
