Chapter 11 - THE TWINThe revelation shattered Elena.
Evelyn was alive.
But she was not standing beside Claire.
She was locked in another room.
Her face was nearly identical to Elena's.
The same eyes.
The same jawline.
The same scar near her shoulder.
Only one thing was different.
Evelyn wore a silver necklace.
The same necklace found in the wall.
Claire broke down.
“Mara, listen to me.”
Elena stepped away.
“You lied.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“You said Evelyn was dead.”
“I believed she was.”
Evelyn's voice came through the speakers.
“You believed whatever was easiest.”
Claire looked toward the monitor.
“Evelyn…”
“Don't call me that.”
Arthur stared.
“Where are you?”
“Somewhere your father built.”
Daniel's voice interrupted.
“Enough family reunion.”
A clock appeared on the screen.
Eight minutes.
“You will choose.”
Arthur shouted:
“No.”
Daniel laughed.
“Always so noble at the end.”
The screen changed.
Leo was tied to a chair.
Evelyn was tied to another.
Then another camera appeared.
Victoria stood between them.
Daniel said:
“Save Leo and leave Evelyn.”
Elena shouted:
“No!”
“Or save Evelyn.”
Arthur stepped forward.
“I'll give you everything.”
“You still don't understand.”
Daniel leaned toward the camera.
“Money isn't what I want.”
“What then?”
“Recognition.”
Arthur stared.
Daniel continued:
“Your father erased me.”
“He lied about my existence.”
“He gave you his name.”
“He gave you everything.”
Daniel's voice became bitter.
“I built half the empire.”
Arthur shook his head.
“I never knew.”
“Exactly.”
Daniel smiled.
“You were always the golden son.”
Victoria looked at him.
“Daniel, stop.”
Daniel turned.
“You are the reason we're here.”
Victoria shook her head.
“You promised nobody would be hurt.”
Daniel laughed.
“I promised you.”
Then he walked toward Leo.
Elena screamed.
“Don't touch him!”
Daniel stopped.
“I'll make this easy.”
He held up two keys.
“One opens Leo's room.”
“The other opens Evelyn's.”
“Your father gets one.”
Arthur looked at Elena.
“No.”
“We can't let him choose.”
Elena studied the screens.
Something was wrong.
The cameras showed different timestamps.
Some feeds were delayed.
She realized Daniel was manipulating them.
She whispered to Mason.
“The screens.”
“What?”
“They aren't live.”
Mason checked.
“You're right.”
Elena pointed.
“The basement camera has a six-minute delay.”
Mason understood.
They could locate the real rooms.
The police moved through the tunnels.
Arthur stayed behind.
Claire followed.
Victoria secretly slipped away.
Elena noticed.
She followed Victoria into a side corridor.
“Where are you going?”
Victoria turned.
“I know where Daniel keeps the keys.”
“Then take me.”
“No.”
“Why?”
Victoria pulled a small box from her coat.
Inside was a cassette.
She looked at Elena.
“Your father isn't the person you should fear.”
“Who?”
Victoria whispered:
“Claire.”
Elena froze.
“Why?”
“Because she knew Evelyn was alive.”
“What?”
“And she chose you.”
Before Elena could ask anything else, a gunshot echoed through the basement.
Victoria collapsed.
Elena caught her.
Blood spread across her coat.
Victoria gripped Elena's hand.
“Don't let Claire reach the red door.”
Then she died.
Elena stared at her.
Mason rushed in.
“Who shot her?”
A shadow disappeared around the corner.
Mason ran after it.
Elena looked down at the cassette in Victoria's hand.
May you like
A note was attached.
PLAY THIS WHEN YOU SEE THE TWIN.
