Chapter 7 - The Secret Contract
Edward's voice echoed through the warehouse.
“Your father knew I was alive.”
Clare stared.
“My father knew?”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn't he tell us?”
“Because he wanted to protect you.”
Edward laughed.
“Everyone says they want to protect you.”
His gaze shifted to Gabriel.
“And then they make deals behind your back.”
Gabriel remained still.
“Get your gun away from her.”
Edward smiled.
“You still think you're in control.”
He pulled Clare's mother closer.
Clare lifted the contract.
“What do you want?”
“The original agreement.”
“You'll get it.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“I want the hidden clause.”
“There isn't one.”
Edward laughed.
“You haven't read the second page.”
Clare froze.
Gabriel looked at the contract.
“What second page?”
Edward nodded.
Margaret had given him a copy.
It showed a paragraph hidden beneath the binding.
In the event of any hostile acquisition attempt, all ownership rights shall revert to the descendants of Isabella Moretti and Richard Bennett jointly.
Clare read it twice.
Then understood.
“Derek could never own the property.”
“No.”
“Neither could you.”
Edward smiled.
“Exactly.”
The entire marriage was meaningless.
Even with Clare's signature, Derek couldn't control the harbor.
Edward needed the Moretti heir.
Gabriel.
“He wanted you to attack me,” Clare said.
Edward nodded.
“He wanted the Whitmores and Morettis to destroy each other.”
“Why?”
“So he could take what's left.”
Gabriel looked toward the containers.
“Where is the server?”
Edward's smile widened.
“Good.”
“You know.”
“I know everything.”
He nodded toward the warehouse office.
“Your mother built Project Dawn.”
Gabriel froze.
“Project Dawn?”
Clare looked at him.
The name had appeared before.
The network her mother supposedly never knew.
Edward continued.
“She created a system to document corruption.”
“Why?”
“To protect herself.”
“And your family.”
“Yes.”
“But then it was used against people.”
“By your father.”
Edward laughed.
“No.”
“By you?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
Edward's smile faded.
“Derek.”
Clare stared.
“What?”
“Derek inherited access through the Whitmore family.”
The pieces fell together.
Derek had not been merely greedy.
He had been collecting information.
Names.
Accounts.
Companies.
He had built his entire career on secrets stolen through Project Dawn.
The marriage would have given him access to the harbor.
Edward would have taken the network.
The Whitmores would have received their share.
Everyone had a role.
Except Clare.
She was the obstacle.
Edward handed Gabriel a folder.
Inside were photographs of Derek meeting government officials.
Bank transfers.
Threats.
Blackmail.
Enough to destroy half the city's most powerful people.
“That's what you wanted?”
“No.”
Edward looked at Clare.
“I wanted them to fear what I knew.”
“But why kill my father?”
“Because he chose your mother over me.”
Clare looked at her mother.
Her mother whispered:
“I thought I lost Edward forever.”
Edward laughed.
“You did.”
He lowered the gun.
For one second, Clare believed he might surrender.
Then a shot came from the warehouse entrance.
Edward dropped.
Clare screamed.
Gabriel moved toward her mother.
Leo rushed in.
Another shot.
Then silence.
Edward lay bleeding on the concrete.
The shooter was gone.
Gabriel searched the shadows.
“Stay here.”
Clare knelt beside Edward.
He was breathing.
Barely.
“Who shot you?”
Edward looked at her.
“Derek.”
Her eyes widened.
“Derek?”
Edward smiled.
“He never stopped.”
Gabriel returned.
“He's gone.”
Clare looked at Edward.
“Why?”
“Because he wants the server.”
“What server?”
Edward whispered:
“The original.”
Gabriel frowned.
“Where?”
Edward looked at the water.
“Below.”
A loud explosion shook the warehouse.
The floor opened beneath them.
Clare screamed as the ground collapsed.
Gabriel grabbed her.
They fell into darkness.
May you like
Water rushed around them.
Then everything disappeared.
