Chapter 6 - The Vault Beneath The Abandoned Factory
The old Carter factory stood abandoned at the edge of the city.
Snow covered the roof.
Broken windows reflected the moonlight.
Victor arrived with a small team.
Emma came with him.
"You shouldn't be here," he said.
"Neither should you."
He stared at her.
"You never listen."
"Neither do you."
Despite everything, he smiled.
They entered through a side door.
The building smelled of rust and dust.
David's key fit a hidden lock beneath the main office floor.
A section of concrete opened.
A staircase descended into darkness.
Emma's heart pounded.
Victor took her hand.
"Stay close."
The vault door was enormous.
A keypad appeared beside it.
Victor entered the combination from David's notes.
The door opened.
Inside were boxes.
Hard drives.
Documents.
Photographs.
And one old video recorder.
Emma found a labeled file.
"Isabel Grant."
Victor stopped breathing.
He inserted the recording.
Isabel appeared on screen.
She looked directly into the camera.
"Victor, if you're watching this, I'm already gone."
Emma watched his face.
Isabel continued.
"Please don't punish the Carters."
Victor closed his eyes.
"They tried to help me."
A pause.
"David discovered Richard's plan."
She looked frightened.
"Richard intends to take control of the Blackwood empire by framing you for financial crimes and eliminating anyone who can expose him."
Victor whispered, "Richard."
Isabel continued.
"Arthur Kane is helping him."
Then came the revelation.
"Your mother knows."
Victor went pale.
"My mother?"
But Isabel was still speaking.
"She isn't willing to expose him because she is afraid."
The recording ended.
Victor stood motionless.
Emma placed a hand on his arm.
"Victor."
He looked at her.
"My mother knew."
"What will you do?"
"Find her."
They collected the evidence.
But before they could leave, the lights outside came on.
Cars surrounded the factory.
Richard's men.
Victor immediately pulled Emma behind him.
A gunshot shattered the hallway.
Security returned fire.
The factory erupted into chaos.
Victor pushed Emma into the vault.
"Stay here."
"No."
"Emma."
"I am not leaving you."
He looked at her.
"I love you."
She froze.
The words had come without warning.
Victor himself seemed surprised.
Then he kissed her.
"Now stay alive."
He left.
Emma stood frozen.
I love you.
Three simple words.
They meant everything.
Minutes later, the shooting stopped.
Emma opened the vault.
Victor was gone.
Her heart dropped.
"Victor?"
No answer.
May you like
Then she saw blood on the floor.
Her blood ran cold.
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