Chapter 9 - ELEANOR’S FINAL TESTIMONY
Conrad stared at the screens.
For the first time that night, fear replaced confidence.
Eleanor’s recorded image filled the ballroom.
She was sitting inside Suite 1801.
A folder marked PRIVATE TRUST rested in her lap.
“My brother, Conrad Vale, has used Solmere funds to pay personal debts and purchase political influence.”
Guests lifted their phones and began recording.
Roland Laurent moved toward the exit.
Mason blocked his path.
Eleanor continued.
“I have also discovered that Laurent Capital created false loans intended to force the Solmere Empire into insolvency.”
Bianca looked at her father.
“You told me the hotel needed us.”
Roland’s jaw tightened.
“Turn off the screens.”
Adrian rushed toward the projection booth.
The doors would not open.
Nora had locked them from inside.
Eleanor lifted a document toward the camera.
“My controlling shares remain secured in the founder’s vault.”
Conrad shouted over the recording.
“This video is fabricated.”
Charlotte stepped toward him.
“You knew about the vault.”
“I knew my sister enjoyed theatrical threats.”
Eleanor’s final words filled the room.
“Only Charlotte and Conrad can open the vault together.”
The recording ended.
The ballroom lights returned.
Every face turned toward Charlotte and Conrad.
Roland grabbed Conrad’s arm.
“You said the death certificate would transfer her authorization.”
Conrad pulled away.
“Be quiet.”
Charlotte heard the admission.
So did the guests standing closest to them.
Conrad attempted to leave the stage.
Mason raised his weapon.
“No one leaves until the real police arrive.”
Adrian’s voice came through the ballroom speakers.
“The building has received a credible explosive threat.”
Panic erupted.
Guests rushed toward the locked doors.
The emergency shutters began closing.
Mason spoke into his radio.
“No device has been reported.”
Charlotte understood Adrian’s plan.
He wanted to evacuate the witnesses, destroy the records, and blame the chaos on her.
Smoke began seeping from the western corridor.
Daniel’s voice crackled through Charlotte’s receiver.
“The fire suppression system has been disabled.”
Nora shouted from the projection booth.
“Someone is burning the archive.”
Charlotte looked at Conrad.
He did not seem surprised.
“The original trust documents are inside the vault,” he said quietly.
His voice held no warmth now.
“If the hotel burns, neither of us gets them.”
“You would destroy the Solmere?”
“I would rather leave ashes than give it to you.”
A chandelier cable snapped above the stage.
Charlotte heard the metal tear.
She pushed Bianca aside.
The chandelier crashed where they had been standing.
May you like
Glass exploded across the floor.
When Charlotte looked up, Conrad was gone.
