Chapter 12 - The Return to Solmere TowerCharlotte returned to the Solmere Hotel three days later.
This time, nobody dragged her across the marble.
Every employee moved aside.
Every camera followed her.
News crews crowded the street outside.
Her name was everywhere.
CHARLOTTE VALE RETURNS.
SOLMERE HEIRESS CLAIMS EMPIRE.
But Charlotte didn't care.
She entered the lobby.
The chandeliers glittered above her.
The same marble floor where Victoria had dragged her weeks earlier now reflected her image.
She stopped at the exact spot.
Victoria approached.
"You're really doing this."
Charlotte smiled.
"Doing what?"
"Taking control."
"I already own it."
Victoria laughed.
"Fair point."
They walked together.
"How much do you know?" Charlotte asked.
"Enough."
"About Evelyn?"
Victoria's smile disappeared.
"My father had files on her."
"Where?"
"In his private vault."
"Then take me there."
They entered the restricted elevator.
The doors closed.
Halfway up, the elevator stopped.
Victoria looked at Charlotte.
"That's not normal."
The lights went out.
A voice came through the speaker.
"You should have stayed away."
Charlotte smiled.
"Evelyn."
The voice laughed.
"Smart girl."
The elevator doors opened.
They stepped into darkness.
A single room waited beyond.
At the center stood a woman.
Eleanor Vale.
Or Evelyn.
Charlotte couldn't tell.
The woman looked exactly like her mother.
She wore the same perfume.
The same necklace.
The same hairstyle.
Charlotte's eyes filled with tears.
"Mom."
The woman smiled.
"Come here."
Charlotte took one step.
Her father grabbed her arm.
"Don't."
The woman's smile vanished.
"Daniel was right."
Charlotte frowned.
"What?"
Evelyn nodded toward the window.
Daniel Mercer stood outside the glass.
Alive.
Charlotte's mouth fell open.
"Daniel?"
He raised his hand.
A speaker activated.
"Charlotte, listen to me."
Evelyn interrupted.
"He has always worked for me."
Charlotte stared.
Daniel shook his head.
"No."
Evelyn smiled.
"Ask him."
Charlotte turned.
"Daniel."
He closed his eyes.
"I was forced."
"By whom?"
"Her."
Charlotte looked at Evelyn.
The woman stepped closer.
"You want the truth?"
"Yes."
"Eleanor is alive."
Charlotte's heart pounded.
"Where?"
"Here."
Evelyn pressed a button.
A glass wall opened.
A woman stepped out.
Charlotte stopped breathing.
Her mother.
Older.
Paler.
But unmistakably Eleanor.
Charlotte ran toward her.
Eleanor caught her.
Charlotte collapsed into her arms.
"Mom."
Eleanor cried.
"I'm sorry."
Charlotte pulled away.
"You let me believe you were dead."
"I had no choice."
"There is always a choice."
Eleanor looked at Evelyn.
"Not with her."
Evelyn smiled.
Charlotte turned.
"Why?"
Evelyn answered.
"Because your mother made a deal with me."
Charlotte stared.
"What deal?"
Eleanor stepped forward.
"I agreed to disappear."
"And what did you give her?"
Eleanor's eyes filled with tears.
"You."
Silence.
Charlotte felt the floor vanish beneath her.
Evelyn spoke softly.
"I wanted the heir."
Eleanor shook her head.
"I wanted my daughter alive."
Charlotte looked between them.
Then she noticed something.
A tiny red light blinked beneath the conference table.
Recording equipment.
Charlotte smiled.
Evelyn frowned.
"What?"
Charlotte whispered:
"Thank you."
Eleanor looked confused.
Charlotte pressed a button on her phone.
The doors burst open.
Federal investigators entered.
Evelyn's expression shattered.
Charlotte had anticipated the trap.
She had turned it into evidence.
Then Evelyn smiled.
"Very clever."
She stepped backward.
"Unfortunately..."
The building alarms began screaming.
May you like
Evelyn looked at Charlotte.
"...you just triggered the final phase."
