Chapter 6 - The Brother Everyone Thought Was DeadMatthew drew his weapon.
Gabriel didn't flinch.
“Put it down.”
“You first.”
Isabel smiled.
“I knew this reunion would be emotional.”
Matthew's eyes never left his brother.
“You're alive.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Gabriel looked almost amused.
“Because being dead was useful.”
“You betrayed Father.”
“No.”
“I saw the records.”
“You saw what they wanted you to see.”
Matthew's expression hardened.
“Then explain.”
Gabriel turned to me.
“First, let me explain her.”
He pointed at me.
“Do you know who Elena really is?”
Matthew stepped forward.
“Don't.”
Gabriel smiled.
“She isn't just the heir to Vargas Holdings.”
I stared.
“She is the beneficiary of Project Avalon.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means your father placed a substantial portion of the family assets in a private structure.”
“How much?”
“Billions.”
My knees weakened.
“Billions?”
Gabriel nodded.
“But there was one condition.”
“What?”
“You had to remain unmarried until twenty-five.”
I looked at Matthew.
He looked back.
“Why?”
“Because your father was afraid someone would manipulate your marriage.”
“Isabel wanted me married to Ambrose.”
“Exactly.”
Richard Ambrose stepped forward.
He smiled.
“Your father was a paranoid man.”
“He wasn't wrong.”
He laughed.
“Maybe not.”
Matthew raised his weapon.
“Where is Elena's mother?”
Gabriel answered.
“Safe.”
“Where?”
“You'll find out when Elena signs.”
I glared at him.
“You all keep saying my name like I'm an asset.”
Gabriel's expression softened.
“That is exactly what they did.”
“What?”
“They treated you as property.”
“Then why are you helping them?”
“I'm not.”
Isabel turned sharply.
“What?”
Gabriel smiled.
“I never said I was.”
He moved faster than anyone expected.
He grabbed Isabel's gun.
Shot the ceiling.
Chaos erupted.
Matthew grabbed me.
“Move!”
We ran through a side exit.
Gunfire followed.
Gabriel shouted:
“Go!”
We didn't stop.
Outside, Matthew pushed me into a car.
“What happened?”
“I don't know.”
“Your brother just saved us.”
“Yes.”
“Can we trust him?”
Matthew stared through the rear window.
“I don't know.”
The car sped away.
Halfway across the city, Matthew received a message.
Your mother is alive. Trust no one.
He looked at me.
“It came from Gabriel.”
I swallowed.
“Then maybe he is on our side.”
“Maybe.”
We drove to a safe house.
For the first time, Matthew let his guard down.
He sat across from me.
“I need to tell you something.”
“What?”
“My brother wasn't supposed to die.”
“What happened?”
“He discovered Isabel was using Ambrose.”
“And?”
“He tried to expose them.”
“My father helped?”
“Yes.”
“Then why disappear?”
“Because someone inside our family betrayed him.”
“Who?”
Matthew looked at me.
“My father.”
I stared.
“Your father betrayed Gabriel?”
“He believed Gabriel had stolen money.”
“Did he?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“I think Isabel framed him.”
“Why?”
“Because Gabriel knew about Project Avalon.”
Silence.
I looked at the old key.
“Then why did my father trust your family?”
“Because your fathers were partners.”
I took a breath.
“Matthew.”
“Yes?”
“If I activate the trust, what happens?”
“You control Vargas Holdings.”
“Only that?”
“No.”
He paused.
“You inherit the Carranza stake in three private companies.”
I stared.
“Why?”
“Because our fathers made a pact.”
“What kind?”
“Protect each other's heirs.”
I laughed bitterly.
“So your father failed.”
“Yes.”
“And mine died.”
“Yes.”
“And my mother disappeared.”
“Yes.”
“And now Isabel wants my signature.”
“Yes.”
I looked at him.
“Then I'm the only person who can end this.”
His expression softened.
“That's why I'm afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Losing you.”
My heart skipped.
Before I could answer, someone knocked.
Three times.
Pause.
Two times.
Matthew stood.
“Who is it?”
Gabriel's voice came through the door.
“It's me.”
Matthew didn't move.
“Prove it.”
A photograph slid beneath the door.
I picked it up.
My mother.
And beside her—
Isabel.
I looked at Matthew.
“They're together.”
Gabriel spoke from the hall.
“You have twelve hours.”
“For what?”
“Before Isabel kills Sofia.”
Then he added:
“And Elena?”
“Yes?”
“Your father lied about one thing.”
“What?”
“He didn't leave the trust to protect you.”
May you like
A pause.
“He left it because he knew you would eventually have to destroy the Vargas empire yourself.”
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