Chapter 11 - Margaret Thorne’s Choice
Margaret Thorne arrived voluntarily.
Unlike Conrad, she brought no lawyers.
No security.
No assistants.
She entered Gabriel’s private conference room wearing a simple gray coat and carrying one handbag.
Marcus stood when he saw her.
His mother looked older than she had the night before.
“Did you know?”
Marcus asked.
Margaret closed the door.
“Yes.”
The word broke something between them.
Marcus looked away.
Khloe sat beside Gabriel.
“Know what?”
Margaret removed a small envelope from her handbag.
“Lorenzo Rossi was investigating Conrad.”
“And Northstar?”
“Yes.”
“Were you at his house when he died?”
“Yes.”
Marcus stared at her.
“You told me he collapsed after I left.”
“He did.”
“Because of what?”
Margaret’s hands trembled.
“I don’t know.”
“Mom.”
“I’m telling you the truth.”
Marcus stepped closer.
“You made me lie for eight years.”
Margaret’s eyes filled.
“I made you leave because I knew Conrad would use you if the investigation started.”
“You protected him.”
“I protected you.”
Marcus laughed bitterly.
“Everyone keeps saying that.”
Margaret turned toward Khloe.
“Conrad has spent his entire life convincing people that obedience is protection.”
Khloe watched her carefully.
“Did he send Isabella after me?”
Margaret looked down.
“I knew he had contacted her.”
Marcus’s face hardened.
“You knew.”
“I did not know he intended to involve Khloe physically.”
“But you knew he was trying to destroy our marriage.”
“Yes.”
Marcus turned away.
Margaret cried silently.
Khloe did not comfort her.
“Why?”
Margaret looked at Khloe.
“Because you were the first person Marcus ever chose without Conrad’s permission.”
“And because of my shares.”
“That too.”
Gabriel leaned forward.
“What about the recording Isabella mentioned?”
Margaret went still.
So did everyone else.
“You have it.”
Margaret looked at him.
“No.”
Gabriel didn’t believe her.
“Lorenzo’s wife made a recording.”
Margaret closed her eyes.
“She called me after his death.”
“What did she say?”
“That Lorenzo had hidden copies of his evidence.”
“And the recording?”
“She said she would keep one piece of evidence somewhere Conrad could never reach.”
Marcus stepped closer.
“Where?”
Margaret looked at him.
“With someone Conrad would never suspect.”
“Who?”
Margaret’s eyes moved toward Khloe.
“Your mother.”
Khloe stopped breathing.
“My mother died twelve years ago.”
“I know.”
“That makes no sense.”
Margaret reached into her handbag again.
This time she removed an old photograph.
Two women stood together at a charity event.
Margaret.
And Khloe’s mother, Evelyn Ashford.
On the back, handwritten in faded ink, were five words.
IF ANYTHING HAPPENS, ASK EVELYN.
Khloe stared at the photograph.
Gabriel looked equally stunned.
Khloe turned toward him.
“Did my mother ever give you anything?”
Gabriel didn’t answer.
Khloe’s eyes narrowed.
“Gabriel.”
His silence became the answer.
“What did she give you?”
May you like
Gabriel slowly stood.
“A key.”
