Chapter 13 - THE ROOM WITH BOATS ON THE WALLSEthan entered the mansion carrying Anna’s notebook.
Richard waited in the marble foyer.
He wore a dark suit and Anna’s grandfather’s gold watch.
Ethan recognized it from family portraits.
Richard smiled.
“You were never supposed to come home early.”
“You were never supposed to survive tonight.”
Richard’s smile disappeared.
Noah moved behind Ethan as though still following orders.
Celeste appeared at the top of the stairs.
She held Sophie’s hand.
The child wore her blue pajamas and clutched Anna’s photograph.
“Daddy.”
Ethan forced himself not to run toward her.
“I’m here.”
Celeste brought Sophie halfway down the stairs.
“Give Richard the notebook.”
“Let Sophie come to me.”
“After Marcus verifies her.”
Marcus Stern emerged from the library.
He was an older man with silver hair and nervous eyes.
He carried a leather folder bearing the trust’s emblem.
“This has gone too far,” Stern said.
Richard turned sharply.
“You were paid to do a job.”
“I agreed to approve a guardianship transfer.”
“I did not agree to kidnapping.”
Celeste tightened her grip on Sophie’s hand.
“No one was kidnapped.”
Sophie looked at Stern.
“She locked me in a suitcase.”
The trustee’s face changed.
Richard stepped closer to him.
“Sign the papers.”
Stern shook his head.
“I need the original seal.”
Richard held out his hand toward Ethan.
“The notebook.”
Ethan opened the back cover.
A thin metal disk had been hidden inside the binding.
It carried the Whitmore family crest.
Anna had placed the trust seal where Celeste could not find it.
Ethan removed it.
Celeste’s eyes followed the movement.
“That belongs to Sophie,” she said.
“Then Sophie keeps it.”
Richard reached inside his coat.
Noah moved instantly.
He struck Richard’s arm before the concealed weapon could clear the fabric.
The weapon fell across the floor.
Sophie screamed.
Ethan ran toward the staircase.
Celeste pulled Sophie backward.
She pressed a small blade against the strap of the child’s backpack, using it only to frighten those approaching.
“Stay back.”
Ethan stopped.
“You do not need her anymore.”
“I need everyone to believe she chose me.”
“She is six.”
“She is worth six hundred million dollars.”
Sophie looked up at Celeste.
“My mommy said you were empty inside.”
Celeste’s expression twisted.
May you like
The distraction lasted one second.
It was enough for Sophie to pull free and run toward her father.
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