Chapter 10 - The Gala Below

The scream had not come from Elaine.

It came from a catering worker who saw her emerge from the maintenance corridor covered in dust and carrying a broken phone.

Elaine reached the gala ballroom before Victor’s security team could stop her.

Hundreds of guests were still gathered beneath the chandeliers.

Many had heard rumors about an incident upstairs.

Most believed Khloe had fainted.

Elaine walked directly toward Naomi Grant, an investigative reporter whose newspaper had spent years examining Thorne Global.

Naomi recognized her immediately.

“What happened to you?”

“I have proof Marcus Thorne conspired to falsify his wife’s medical records.”

Naomi’s expression sharpened.

“Show me.”

Two hospital security officers entered the ballroom.

Elaine saw them.

She removed the memory card from her shoe and placed it in Naomi’s palm.

“Upload everything.”

The security officers approached.

“Ms. Parker, Dr. Hale needs you upstairs.”

Elaine stepped back.

“No, he doesn’t.”

The nearest guests turned to watch.

Cameras rose.

Elaine used the attention.

“Ask Marcus Thorne why his pregnant wife was attacked inside a hospital suite.”

The ballroom erupted in whispers.

The officers stopped.

They could not drag her away in front of three hundred donors and dozens of phones.

Naomi slipped the memory card into her handbag.

“Come with me.”

They moved toward the media room.

Meanwhile, beneath the parking garage, Khloe and the others reached the final tunnel door.

Samuel opened it.

A black SUV waited beyond the concrete columns.

Richard froze.

“That is Victor’s car.”

The driver’s door opened.

Marcus stepped out.

He had removed his tuxedo tie.

His face looked exhausted.

Richard moved in front of Khloe.

“Stay away from her.”

Marcus lifted both hands.

“I’m not here to hurt anyone.”

“You arranged false medical documents.”

“I can explain.”

“You gave Isabella access to delete the footage.”

“I gave her access because she said Victor was tracking her.”

Khloe stared at him.

“You expect me to believe Isabella was frightened of Victor?”

“She was.”

Marcus took one step forward.

“Khloe, the trust is not what Richard told you.”

Richard’s face changed.

Marcus noticed.

“Did you tell her who receives the shares if the baby does not survive?”

Khloe’s stomach tightened.

Richard said nothing.

She looked at her uncle.

“Answer him.”

Richard’s voice was low.

“If there is no living heir, the shares return to the Hale Foundation.”

“Controlled by whom?”

Marcus looked at Richard.

“Your uncle.”

Khloe felt the truth split in two.

Marcus wanted control if she was declared incapable.

Richard gained control if the child died.

Both men had hidden essential parts of the trust.

Marcus opened the rear door of the SUV.

“We have to leave.”

“No,” Khloe said.

“Victor has armed security moving through the garage.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I helped build the system he is using.”

“That is not a defense.”

“I know.”

Marcus looked toward the distant entrance.

Headlights appeared.

Several vehicles were descending the ramp.

Richard guided Khloe toward the opposite stairwell.

Marcus blocked their path.

“If Victor reaches us, he will take the archive drive.”

Samuel held the drive beneath his jacket.

Marcus looked directly at him.

“He will kill every person standing here and make the cameras show an accident.”

The approaching engines became louder.

Khloe studied Marcus’s face.

For the first time, she saw fear that did not seem rehearsed.

“Why should I trust you?” she asked.

“You shouldn’t.”

Marcus held out the SUV key.

“But you should trust the armored doors.”

The first vehicle turned the corner.

Black windows.

No hospital markings.

Richard looked toward Khloe.

She made the decision.

“Everyone inside.”

Marcus moved aside.

They entered the SUV.

As he climbed into the driver’s seat, Khloe spoke from the rear.

“If you betray me again, I will destroy everything you have.”

May you like

The housekeeper was supposed to be invisible. Instead, Sophia Hale becam...

Victoria: You will never get a single cent of this family inheritance! M...

The billionaire father was told his son had died. Then the maid smashed...

Marcus started the engine.

“You should.”