Chapter 18 - The False Victory
Julian immediately moved Sarah and Leo to a secured floor of Vance headquarters.
Sarah hated hiding.
But she hated the thought of Victoria near Leo more.
Police searched airports.
Train stations.
Family properties.
Nothing.
Conrad claimed he did not know where his daughter had gone.
Nobody believed him.
Hours passed.
At nine that evening, Sarah received a text.
It came from Victoria’s number.
You wanted the truth.
Come get it.
A photograph followed.
Diane Harper was alive.
She sat tied to a chair inside what appeared to be an abandoned hotel kitchen.
Sarah rushed toward the door.
Julian blocked her.
“No.”
“She has Diane.”
“Police go.”
“She said alone.”
“That is exactly why you are not going.”
Sarah stared at the photograph.
Diane knew everything.
But this was not only about evidence anymore.
A woman’s life was in danger.
Sarah forwarded the image to Marcus.
He identified the kitchen.
The original Sterling Hotel in Brooklyn.
It had been closed for renovation.
Police formed a plan.
Sarah agreed to wear a transmitter but remain outside.
Then another message arrived.
Bring Julian too.
He smiled without humor.
“Apparently I’m invited.”
The abandoned hotel smelled of dust and old plaster.
Sarah and Julian entered through the lobby while tactical officers waited beyond the service doors.
Victoria’s voice echoed from the ballroom.
“Keep walking.”
They found her standing beneath a broken chandelier.
Diane sat several feet away.
Victoria held the gun.
Her beautiful white dress from the press conference was stained with dirt.
She looked nothing like the composed heiress from television.
“You took everything.”
She said.
Julian answered.
“No.”
“You lost everything.”
Victoria laughed.
“Because of her.”
She pointed the gun toward Sarah.
Julian stepped in front of her.
Victoria’s hand shook.
“All those years.”
“I was beside you.”
“I protected your company.”
“I fixed problems.”
“And you would have thrown everything away for a nobody.”
Sarah finally understood.
Money had mattered.
Control had mattered.
But Victoria’s obsession with Julian had poisoned every decision.
Sarah said quietly.
“You could have had your own life.”
Victoria’s eyes snapped toward her.
“Shut up.”
“You spent eight years trying to erase mine.”
Victoria raised the weapon.
A shot exploded.
May you like
Sarah screamed.
Julian staggered backward.
