Chapter 6 - THE UNCLE WHO STOLE AN EMPIRE
Charlotte had not heard Conrad’s voice since her mother’s funeral.
It was warm, controlled, and almost affectionate.
“You have always been difficult to protect,” Conrad said through the speakers.
Charlotte looked around for another exit.
The tunnel walls were solid stone.
Nora helped Daniel stand.
Conrad continued speaking.
“Return to the ballroom, and no one else needs to be hurt.”
Charlotte faced the nearest camera.
“You murdered my mother.”
A soft sigh came through the speaker.
“Eleanor murdered herself with pride.”
Daniel whispered that a maintenance hatch stood behind the far support column.
Charlotte and Nora moved toward it.
Conrad’s voice followed them.
“You think you inherited your mother’s courage.”
A steel gate began descending across the tunnel.
“You inherited her weakness.”
Charlotte pushed Daniel through the hatch.
Nora crawled after him.
The gate struck the floor before Charlotte could follow.
She was trapped on the opposite side.
Footsteps approached.
Adrian emerged from the shadows with two guards.
Charlotte backed toward the vault.
Adrian held out his hand.
“The ring.”
Charlotte removed it.
Then she threw it through the gate to Nora.
Adrian lunged.
The ring passed between the bars and landed near Nora’s feet.
Nora picked it up and disappeared into the maintenance shaft with Daniel.
Adrian grabbed Charlotte by the throat.
“You have made this much more complicated than necessary.”
Charlotte fought for air.
“You are still afraid.”
He slammed her against the vault door.
“I am tired.”
“Of cleaning Conrad’s crimes?”
Adrian’s hand tightened.
A gunshot thundered through the tunnel.
The light above Adrian’s head shattered.
Mason Reed appeared on the upper walkway.
“Release her.”
Adrian stepped away from Charlotte.
The guards raised their weapons.
Mason aimed at the exposed gas pipe above them.
“One bullet hits that pipe, and none of us leave.”
The guards lowered their guns.
Mason moved down the stairs and placed himself between Adrian and Charlotte.
Adrian smiled bitterly.
“I wondered when you would betray me.”
“I never worked for you.”
Mason pushed Charlotte toward the maintenance hatch.
Adrian called after her.
“Conrad is arriving in ten minutes.”
Charlotte looked back.
“The board believes he is announcing a merger.”
“He is.”
Adrian’s smile returned.
“By midnight, the Solmere Empire will belong to Laurent Capital.”
Charlotte climbed into the shaft.
May you like
Behind her, Adrian spoke one final time.
“And by morning, Charlotte Vale will die for the second time.”
