Chapter 3 - The Ghost Returns
The realization sent a chill down Michael’s spine. If Evelyn was alive, then her entire disappearance had been a staged nightmare. And Rachel was working for her.
Before Michael could digest the news, his attorney, David Vance (no relation to Evelyn), called his cell phone.
"Michael, we have a major problem," David said hurriedly. "Rachel’s high-powered defense attorney just posted a $500,000 cash bail. She’s out."
"What?!" Michael roared, storming out into the hallway. "She poisoned my daughter! She locked her in a dog house!"
"The toxicology report hasn't been formally submitted to the magistrate yet, and Rachel’s lawyer claimed the dog house incident was a 'misunderstood parenting disciplinary measure' framed by a bitter stepbrother," David explained. "The judge granted bail with a temporary restraining order. She’s barred from coming within 500 feet of you or Emma."
"Restraining orders don't stop monsters, David," Michael growled.
He rushed to Emma’s hospital room, scooped her up, and immediately instructed his private security team to double the guards at his suburban estate. He knew Rachel wouldn't stay away—not when millions of dollars were on the line.
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That night, at 2:00 AM, the security alarms at Michael’s estate began to blare.
Red warning lights flashed across the master bedroom. Michael grabbed his personal firearm from the safe, pulled Emma into the hidden panic room behind his wardrobe, and locked the steel door. Through the security camera feed on his phone, he watched two masked figures break through the glass patio doors, heading straight for Emma’s bedroom.
