Chapter 17 - THE BILLION-DOLLAR TRAP
Victor's private estate stood on a cliff overlooking the ocean.
Grace entered alone.
At least, that's what Victor believed.
She walked into the mansion.
Victor waited beside a fireplace.
Older.
Calm.
Smiling.
"You look exactly like your mother."
Grace stopped.
"You killed her."
Victor shook his head.
"No."
"You tried."
"Yes."
Grace's eyes hardened.
"Where is Noah's trust?"
Victor smiled.
"Still thinking about money."
"This isn't about money."
"No."
Victor walked closer.
"It's about inheritance."
He handed her a document.
Grace read it.
Her father's company.
Her grandfather's network.
The private security organization.
All of it.
And the final clause.
CONTROL TRANSFERS TO DESCENDANT UPON ACTIVATION.
Grace understood.
Noah wasn't merely the beneficiary.
He was the legal successor.
Victor wanted control through him.
"You need me to sign."
"Yes."
"What happens if I refuse?"
Victor smiled.
"You lose Noah."
Grace's face remained calm.
"Where is he?"
Victor's smile faded.
"Safe."
"Show me."
A screen turned on.
Noah appeared.
Sitting beside Elena.
Alive.
Victor watched Grace.
"You have one hour."
Grace looked at the contract.
"Why me?"
"Because your father won't sign."
Grace looked up.
"And Daniel?"
"Disposable."
"And Celeste?"
"Already paid."
"And Rachel?"
Victor smiled.
"Never important."
Grace suddenly understood.
Everyone had been manipulated.
Daniel.
Celeste.
Rachel.
Even Richard.
Victor had created a chain of people who could be sacrificed.
Then Grace noticed something.
A tiny reflection in the screen.
A camera.
Someone else was in the room with Noah.
She zoomed in mentally.
A man.
Scarred face.
Adrian's brother.
Grace smiled.
Victor noticed.
"What?"
"Nothing."
She signed the first page.
Victor relaxed.
Then Grace stabbed the pen through the document.
"You're going to need more than a signature."
The doors exploded open.
Federal agents stormed the mansion.
Victor froze.
Michael entered.
Daniel followed.
Richard appeared behind them.
Victor stared.
"You."
Richard smiled.
"You should have killed me when you had the chance."
Victor's expression changed.
Then another person entered.
Elena.
She held a folder.
"Your entire operation is inside this."
Victor stared at her.
"You were supposed to be dead."
Elena smiled.
"So were you."
Victor suddenly reached for a weapon.
Daniel tackled him.
The room erupted.
Grace ran toward the screen.
"Where is Noah?"
The transmission cut.
Her heart stopped.
Then the lights went out.
A message appeared on the screen.
YOU CAUGHT THE WRONG MAN.
Grace stared.
May you like
Victor was on the floor.
But the real mastermind was still free.
