Chapter 14 - Elena’s Dangerous Offer
Daniel refused immediately.
“You are not involving yourself.”
“She targeted Samuel’s granddaughter because she knows he’ll surrender the will.”
“The police will handle it.”
“Victoria has escaped every police move because she has people watching them.”
Elena’s voice remained calm.
“She expects Samuel. She doesn’t expect me.”
“You nearly died four days ago.”
“And she still believes fear will keep me silent.”
Daniel knelt beside Elena’s wheelchair.
“I cannot lose you.”
“You won’t.”
“You don’t know that.”
Elena touched his face.
“I know we cannot spend the rest of our lives waiting for her next threat.”
Detective Brooks did not approve Elena’s idea at first.
But the meeting location Victoria selected—a closed Carter Foundation theater—had multiple entrances and an old security system Daniel could access remotely.
They created a copy of the will.
Elena would enter carrying it.
Daniel would remain in the control room with police.
The plan depended on Victoria believing Elena had come alone.
That evening, Elena walked onto the theater stage.
She was weak, but steady.
The empty seats disappeared into darkness.
Victoria’s voice came through the speakers.
“You always did enjoy creating drama.”
Elena looked toward the balcony.
“Release the girl.”
“She was released an hour ago.”
Brooks confirmed quietly through Elena’s earpiece that Samuel’s granddaughter had been found safe.
Victoria had used the photograph only as a threat.
“Place the will on the stage,” Victoria ordered.
Elena held up the folder.
“You murdered your husband for this?”
“I preserved what he built.”
“You stole it.”
“Richard was weak. Daniel is weaker.”
Elena looked directly at the balcony camera.
“No. Daniel trusted you. That was never weakness.”
Victoria appeared above the stage holding a gun.
Dr. Reeves stood beside her.
Daniel’s body tensed in the control room.
Brooks ordered him to remain still.
Victoria descended the stairs slowly.
“You should have remained in your coffin.”
Elena’s hands trembled, but she did not step back.
“You should have checked whether I was dead.”
Victoria stopped several feet away.
“Give me the will.”
Elena placed the folder on the floor.
Reeves moved to collect it.
Police began closing in through the side corridors.
Then Victoria smiled.
“You think I came without protection?”
The theater lights shut off.
A gunshot exploded in the darkness.
May you like
Daniel heard Elena scream through the earpiece.
👉 When the emergency lights returned, Elena was on the floor—and Victoria had disappeared with Daniel’s daughter’s medical bracelet.
