Chapter 6 - DONNA CAME FOR HER DAUGHTER
Donna arrived shortly after sunrise on Friday.
She brought a basket filled with eggs, vegetables, and fresh bread.
It was a disguise.
Beneath the food was a sealed envelope containing copies of the forged loan documents and a handwritten statement for Grace.
Donna had left the original family records in a secure location.
She parked near the front gate and walked toward the mansion.
The doorbell camera began recording as she approached.
Hattie opened the door before Donna could knock.
She was already dressed in her white suit and pearls.
“Penelope is not available.”
“I’m taking my daughter home.”
“Your daughter’s home is here.”
Donna looked past her.
“Penny!”
Hattie stepped outside and closed the door.
“You have disrupted my family long enough.”
“Your son forged legal documents.”
“You have no proof.”
“I have more than you think.”
Hattie’s eyes dropped toward the basket.
“What did you bring?”
“Food for my daughter.”
“Show me.”
“No.”
Hattie reached for the basket.
Donna pulled it away.
During the struggle, the envelope slipped between the loaves of bread.
Hattie saw Grace’s name written across it.
Her face changed.
She called toward the side garden.
A groundskeeper appeared.
Hattie ordered him to close the gate.
He hesitated.
“Mrs. Bellamy—”
“Do it.”
Donna turned toward the driveway.
Hattie grabbed her arm.
Donna pushed her away.
“You will not touch me.”
Hattie stumbled back against the rose archway.
The groundskeeper took one step forward, but Hattie ordered him to leave.
“I will handle this myself.”
She waited until he disappeared behind the hedge.
Then she picked up the heavy chain attached to the family’s dog run.
Donna backed away.
“Hattie, think about what you are doing.”
“I have spent twenty years thinking about what your husband did to me.”
“Samuel saved your company.”
“He tried to own it.”
“He protected himself because he knew what you were.”
Hattie swung the chain around Donna’s wrists.
Donna fought her, but Hattie struck the back of her knees with the metal clasp.
Donna fell onto the stone.
The basket overturned.
Hattie fastened the chain around Donna’s neck and pulled it tight enough to terrify her without cutting off her breath.
“Tell me where Samuel’s agreement is.”
Donna stared up at her.
“You will never have it.”
Hattie dragged her beneath the roses.
Inside the mansion, Penelope heard something strike the courtyard stones.
She ran toward the window.
Michael entered the driveway at the same moment.
He saw his mother holding the chain.
He did not rush to stop her.
He hurried toward the door to prevent Penelope from getting outside.
But Penelope had already reached it.
She pulled the door open.
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And the sight beneath the roses changed her forever.
👉 Michael had one final chance to protect his wife and her mother—but instead, he chose to help Hattie finish what she had started.
