Chapter 4 - The Poisoned BetrothalSirens blared outside the mansion as heavy black SUVs tore across the manicured lawns of the Vale estate, screeching to a halt near the main entrance.
Adrian immediately pulled a concealed firearm from beneath his desk, stepping in front of Elena instinctively. "Marcus, stay behind me."
"It's not intruders, Adrian," Elena said calmly, looking at the security feed on the laptop. "It's the press. And federal agents."
The monitors showed dozen of news cameras flashing frantically alongside armed agents bearing the insignia of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Department of Justice.
Leading the swarm was a striking woman in an ivory power suit, her red hair pulled back sharply, a triumphant smile on her lips.
Evelyn Vale. Adrian’s ex-wife.
Beside her stood Senator King, flanked by police officers.
"They brought the law with them," Adrian gritted his teeth. "What game are they playing?"
"They knew Marcus’s transfer was scheduled for midnight," Elena explained rapidly. "When the transfer failed because I blocked the Sterling Holdings accounts today, Marcus's failure triggered their backup plan. They are framing you for the missing fifty million before you can expose them."
The door to the study burst open, and private estate guards rushed in, looking panicked. "Mr. Vale! Federal agents have a warrant for your arrest! They claim you transferred corporate funds to illegal offshore entities!"
Marcus suddenly lunged forward, grabbing the flash drive off the table! "I'm sorry, Adrian! It's every man for himself!"
Marcus bolted through the side emergency exit of the study.
"Marcus!" Adrian yelled, starting to pursue him, but Elena grabbed his arm firmly.
"Let him go!" Elena urged. "He's running right into their trap! Adrian, look at me. If you get arrested tonight, Evelyn takes emergency voting control of Vale Enterprises as the primary lien holder from your divorce settlement. You will lose everything by morning!"
"Then what do we do?!" Adrian demanded, feeling the walls closing in for the first time in his life.
"Trust me," Elena said softly, holding out her hand. "Six years ago, you had all the power and I had nothing. Tonight, you have to let the maid save the billionaire."
Adrian looked at her hand, then into her resolute, fearless eyes. Without hesitation, he grabbed her hand. "Lead the way."
Elena led Adrian down a hidden service staircase behind the kitchen pantry—a passageway used by the estate staff for decades that was absent from all modern blueprints.
Outside, rain lashed against the cobblestones. The flashing blue lights illuminated the grand driveway where Evelyn Vale was already speaking into a dozen news microphones.
"My former husband, Adrian Vale, has engaged in massive financial fraud," Evelyn declared dramatically to the reporters. "I am stepping in as founder of the Vale Restructuring Group to protect the shareholders..."
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from the east wing of the estate. Marcus Bell came tumbling out of a side door, tackled to the wet grass by federal agents.
"Wait! It wasn't me! It was Adrian! He's escaping!" Marcus screamed into the mud.
From the shadow of the rose garden, Elena pulled Adrian into an unremarked utility van parked near the hedge line. She hotwired the ignition with practiced ease, revved the engine, and smashed through the estate's rear service gate just as police searchlights swept over the yard.
As the van sped away into the dark, rainy night, Adrian looked at Elena in total shock. "Where did you learn to hotwire a vehicle?"
Elena smiled faintly, stepping on the gas. "When your family loses everything overnight, Mr. Vale... you learn a lot of skills that aren't on a resume."
"Where are we going?"
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"To East Harbor," Elena answered. "The only place in this city where Evelyn Vale’s money can’t buy the truth."
👇 CONTINUED IN CHAP 5
