Chapter 6 - The Bride's Secret
Ethan refused to believe Chloe was involved.
Not completely.
But the evidence kept pointing toward her.
He found her at a small café outside the city.
She looked exhausted.
“You came.”
“I need answers.”
“I know.”
“You knew about Daniel.”
Chloe looked down.
“Yes.”
Ethan's jaw tightened.
“How?”
“My father told me.”
“When?”
“Before the wedding.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because he threatened me.”
“With what?”
“He said if I spoke, he'd destroy my mother.”
Ethan sat down.
“Chloe, what is happening?”
She began crying.
“My father isn't working with Marcus.”
Ethan frowned.
“He is Marcus.”
Silence.
The revelation hit him like a physical blow.
“Your father is Marcus Vale?”
Chloe nodded.
“My mother changed her name after he disappeared.”
Ethan stared.
“Then the wedding…”
“Was his plan.”
“Why?”
“To gain access to your company.”
“And you?”
“I was supposed to marry you.”
Her voice cracked.
“Then convince you to sign control over several subsidiaries.”
Ethan stood.
“Did you love me?”
Chloe looked up.
“I thought I could.”
“But?”
“But I realized I was becoming exactly like him.”
Ethan didn't know what to say.
Chloe handed him a flash drive.
“Everything is here.”
“What is it?”
“Evidence.”
“Against your father?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I want out.”
Ethan took it.
Then Chloe whispered:
“There's one more thing.”
“What?”
“Your father didn't die from natural causes.”
Ethan froze.
“What?”
“Marcus arranged it.”
“Why?”
“Your father was going to expose him.”
Ethan's eyes filled with rage.
“Then why was my mother paying him?”
“To protect you.”
“From Marcus?”
“Yes.”
Ethan closed his eyes.
For years, he had hated his mother for being cold.
Now he realized she had been fighting a war in silence.
He returned to the estate.
Genevieve listened to everything.
Then she inserted the flash drive into her computer.
Files appeared.
Bank accounts.
Emails.
Recordings.
Photographs.
And finally, a video.
Marcus Vale appeared on screen.
He looked directly into the camera.
“Genevieve.”
She stared.
“You always believed you could control everything.”
A cold smile.
“You were wrong.”
The video showed Marcus meeting several Vance executives.
Then another person entered.
Victoria.
She looked terrified.
Marcus said:
“Pay me, or Ethan dies.”
Victoria handed him a check.
Genevieve's hands tightened.
Then the video changed.
A hospital room.
A young boy.
Daniel.
Marcus entered.
The video ended.
Ethan stood speechless.
Genevieve closed the laptop.
“We have enough evidence.”
“To arrest him?”
“Yes.”
“Then why aren't we?”
“Because he knows we're coming.”
A gunshot exploded outside.
Everyone froze.
Security rushed into the room.
Genevieve pulled Ethan behind her.
Another shot.
Then silence.
A guard entered.
“Chairwoman!”
“What?”
“We found Marcus's driver.”
“Alive?”
The guard shook his head.
“He left a message.”
Genevieve followed him outside.
On the driveway was a single white rose.
Beneath it was a note.
MIDNIGHT. THE OLD VANCE FACTORY. COME ALONE.
Ethan stepped forward.
“You're not going.”
Genevieve looked at him.
“I am.”
“I'll come with you.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because Marcus wants me.”
Ethan shook his head.
“He wants the company.”
Genevieve looked at him.
“No.”
May you like
She folded the note.
“He wants revenge.”
