CHAPTER 3 — The Secret Buried Behind the Crown
Before Vivian could answer, the mansion's enormous front doors burst open.
Detectives flooded into the ballroom.
Leading them was Detective Gabriel Hayes.
He walked straight toward Amelia.
"We've been searching for him for three months."
The room grew quiet.
Gabriel turned toward the guests.
"Tonight's charity gala wasn't chosen by coincidence."
"It was part of an ongoing investigation."
He nodded toward Noah.
"The child escaped less than an hour ago."
Gasps echoed throughout the ballroom.
Vivian attempted to slip toward a side exit.
Two detectives immediately blocked her path.
"No one is leaving."
Gabriel projected photographs onto the ballroom's massive screen.
An isolated estate deep in the mountains.
Hidden underground rooms.
Children's bedrooms.
Medical records.
Surveillance photos.
The guests stared in horror.
For years, Vivian had secretly operated an illegal network that changed children's identities before placing them with wealthy clients willing to pay fortunes for heirs.
Noah had survived because he refused to stop calling Amelia his mother.
Gabriel opened a thick case file.
"There is something else."
He looked toward Amelia.
"The boating accident..."
"...was never an accident."
A stunned silence settled over the room.
Vivian laughed bitterly.
"You still don't understand."
"It wasn't about the child."
She slowly looked toward an elderly man standing near the fireplace.
Lord Edward Ashcroft.
Founder of the Ashcroft family dynasty.
Amelia's father-in-law.
"The order came from him."
Every head turned.
Edward closed his eyes.
For several long seconds...
He said nothing.
Then he whispered,
"She's telling the truth."
Amelia felt the world disappear beneath her feet.
Years ago, Edward had learned his company would collapse if a custody battle exposed damaging family scandals.
He believed removing Noah would protect the Ashcroft empire.
Vivian had carried out the plan.
But instead of killing the boy...
She secretly kept him alive.
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Waiting for the day she could use him for leverage.
Greed had undone them both.
