Chapter 13 - The Woman Who Gave Me Away

I entered the Crane Foundation gala wearing a black dress Vanessa had chosen for me.

For the first time in my life, I attended a billionaire’s ballroom as a guest instead of a servant.

Daniel walked beside me.

Detective Monroe’s federal team surrounded the building undercover.

Copies of the ledger were already secure.

If Eleanor tried to destroy the original, it would change nothing.

That was our advantage.

Eleanor did not know it yet.

Elizabeth Crane appeared at the top of the staircase.

She looked elegant.

Silver hair.

Emerald earrings.

Calm smile.

The serpent ring rested on her right hand.

My biological mother descended slowly.

When she reached me, she touched my cheek.

“You look like my sister.”

I stepped away.

“Samuel looked terrified before your people killed him.”

Her smile faded slightly.

“Straight to the accusation.”

“Did you order his death?”

Guests continued drinking around us, unaware that federal agents were listening.

Eleanor studied me.

“Samuel made unfortunate decisions.”

“That means yes.”

“He chose Charles over his own family.”

“No.”

I looked directly into her eyes.

“He chose truth over you.”

For the first time, anger showed.

Eleanor asked everyone at our private table to leave except Peter, Vanessa, Daniel, and me.

She did not know Peter had switched sides.

Or perhaps she did not care.

“You want to know why I gave you away?”

“No.”

That surprised her.

“I spent forty-eight years without you.”

“I can spend the rest the same way.”

Her expression hardened.

“You were supposed to inherit everything.”

Vanessa looked confused.

Eleanor explained that Grace Bennett had not been hidden because she was unwanted.

I had been hidden because Charles Harrington knew Eleanor planned to use me.

Charles helped arrange my adoption.

He believed separating me from Eleanor was the only way to save me.

Years later, Samuel discovered the truth.

That was why Charles trusted him.

Then Eleanor looked at Daniel.

“Your father stole my daughter.”

Daniel answered quietly.

“My father saved her.”

Eleanor stood.

The ballroom doors locked.

Music stopped.

Men in security uniforms moved toward the exits.

Eleanor smiled.

“You really thought I would invite federal agents into my building without knowing?”

Detective Monroe reached beneath her dress for her weapon.

Eleanor’s guards surrounded her.

Then every television screen in the ballroom switched on.

A live camera appeared.

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