Chapter 7 - The Attorney's TrapElliot arrived at the warehouse less than an hour later.
He looked exactly as he always had.
Gray suit.
Blue tie.
Silver glasses.
Calm expression.
But Dad didn't greet him.
He simply asked:
“Why did you lie to me?”
Elliot froze.
“I haven't.”
“You knew about Evelyn.”
Elliot's face changed.
Evelyn stepped forward.
“Tell him.”
Elliot sighed.
“I didn't have a choice.”
Dad stared at him.
“Everyone always says that.”
Elliot looked at Serena.
“She contacted me first.”
Serena shook her head.
“No.”
“She asked me to prepare the documents.”
Dad looked at Serena.
“Why?”
Serena whispered:
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of Evelyn?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Serena looked at me.
“She told me she would expose the family.”
Evelyn smiled.
“I never threatened you.”
“You threatened everything!”
“No.”
Evelyn's voice became cold.
“You threatened yourself.”
Then Elliot pulled a gun.
Everything happened at once.
Samuel shouted.
Dad grabbed me.
Evelyn moved behind a pillar.
A shot cracked through the warehouse.
The bullet hit the wall.
Police sirens sounded outside.
Elliot panicked.
He tried to run.
Officers tackled him near the entrance.
Within minutes, he was in handcuffs.
The warehouse became silent again.
Dad sat down.
His hands were shaking.
I knelt beside him.
“Dad?”
He looked at me.
“I almost lost you.”
“You didn't.”
He smiled weakly.
Then Serena approached.
She was crying.
“Dad.”
He looked at her.
“I know.”
“I made terrible choices.”
“Yes.”
“I was jealous of Clara.”
I looked away.
Serena continued.
“She was always the good daughter.”
Dad shook his head.
“No.”
Serena frowned.
“You don't understand.”
“I do.”
Dad looked at me.
“Clara never needed to prove anything.”
Serena cried harder.
“I thought you loved her more.”
Dad reached toward her.
But stopped.
“I loved you both.”
Serena covered her face.
Julian stood beside her.
For the first time in years, he looked ashamed.
Then Evelyn approached me.
“You know what your grandfather's final instruction was?”
“What?”
She smiled.
“He wanted you to inherit the family company.”
I stared at her.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you were the only person he believed wouldn't become corrupted by it.”
I laughed softly.
“I don't want it.”
May you like
Evelyn smiled.
“That's exactly why he chose you.”
