Chapter 11 - The Woman Who Looked Like EleanorCharlotte stared through the helicopter window.
The figure in the other helicopter was too far away.
But the silhouette...
The hair.
The posture.
The shape of the face.
It was Eleanor.
Her mother.
Charlotte whispered:
"That's her."
Her father shook his head.
"No."
"But I saw her."
"You saw someone who wants you to think she's Eleanor."
Charlotte stared.
"Who?"
He didn't answer.
Their helicopter flew toward the mainland.
Hours later, they arrived at a secure estate.
Charlotte barely slept.
At dawn, her father entered the room.
"We need to talk."
Charlotte sat up.
"About Mom?"
"About everything."
He placed a box on the table.
Inside were photographs.
Eleanor.
Margaret.
Richard.
And another woman.
Charlotte studied the woman.
"I've seen her."
Her father nodded.
"Everyone has."
Charlotte frowned.
"Who is she?"
"Adrian Vale."
Charlotte blinked.
"That's a man's name."
"Because she wasn't born a woman."
He turned the photograph.
"Adrian was your grandfather's private security chief."
Charlotte stared.
"And?"
"He disappeared twenty-five years ago."
Mara entered.
"Not disappeared."
Charlotte looked at her.
"He changed identities."
Mara placed another file on the table.
A new name appeared.
Evelyn Black.
Charlotte's blood ran cold.
"Blackridge."
Mara nodded.
"Evelyn Black created the company."
Charlotte finally understood.
"The woman in the helicopter."
Her father nodded.
"She's Evelyn Black."
"The person who controls Solmere's creditors."
"Yes."
Charlotte looked at the photograph.
"Why does she look like Mom?"
Her father hesitated.
"Because your mother had a twin sister."
Charlotte's mouth fell open.
"What?"
"Your grandmother had twin daughters."
Charlotte stared.
"Eleanor and Evelyn."
Mara continued.
"One became the heir."
"The other became obsessed with controlling the empire."
Charlotte sat down.
"Then why did no one tell me?"
"Because Eleanor's family erased Evelyn's existence."
Charlotte looked at the documents.
"So Evelyn became Blackridge."
"And spent twenty years preparing to take Solmere."
Charlotte's mind raced.
"Then Margaret worked for her."
"Yes."
"Richard?"
"A pawn."
"Daniel?"
"Trapped."
"Victoria?"
"Unaware."
Charlotte stared at her father.
"And Mom?"
His eyes filled with pain.
"Eleanor knew Evelyn would eventually come for you."
Charlotte remembered the recordings.
The warnings.
The secrets.
Then her father said something that made Charlotte's heart stop.
"Your mother is still alive."
Silence.
Charlotte whispered:
"No."
"I saw her."
"When?"
"Three months ago."
Charlotte stood.
"Where?"
"Blackridge headquarters."
"Then why didn't you bring her back?"
"I couldn't."
"Why?"
He looked at her.
"Because Eleanor told me not to."
Charlotte stared.
"Why would she say that?"
Her father opened another file.
Inside was a photograph of Eleanor standing beside Evelyn.
Between them was a newborn baby.
Charlotte.
Her father whispered:
"Because your mother didn't just hide you from Evelyn."
He looked at Charlotte.
"She hid Evelyn from you."
Charlotte couldn't breathe.
Then her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
A woman's voice spoke.
"Hello, Charlotte."
Charlotte froze.
The voice was gentle.
Familiar.
Her mother's voice.
"I know you've been looking for me."
Charlotte whispered:
"Mom?"
The woman laughed softly.
"No, darling."
Her voice changed.
"I've been looking for you."
The call ended.
A location appeared.
Solmere Tower.
Charlotte stared at the screen.
Her father whispered:
"It's a trap."
Charlotte smiled.
"I know."
May you like
She stood.
"That's why I'm going."
