CHAPTER 8 — “The Chairman’s Deadly Betrayal.”
The applause echoed through the marble hall.
Every executive looked confused.
Evelyn narrowed her eyes.
"Mr. Reynolds..."
"What are you doing?"
The elderly Chairman chuckled.
"For thirty years..."
"I've waited for this reunion."
His gentle voice suddenly sounded cold.
He reached into his suit jacket.
Security stepped forward.
But they were too late.
He pulled out a pistol.
Panic exploded.
Employees screamed.
Police drew their weapons.
Michael instinctively stepped in front of Helen.
Daniel moved toward Evelyn.
Mr. Reynolds smiled.
"No one move."
"You've all played your parts perfectly."
Evelyn stared at him.
"You worked for my father."
"I worked for his money," Reynolds replied.
He tossed a thick envelope onto the floor.
Inside were offshore bank statements worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
"I've been stealing from Carter Global for twenty-five years."
Gasps filled the room.
Daniel couldn't believe it.
"You betrayed my grandfather?"
Reynolds laughed.
"No."
"I betrayed everyone."
Then he revealed the truth that shattered every assumption.
"It wasn't Margaret who planned the adoption."
"It was me."
Silence.
Margaret looked up in disbelief.
"What?"
Reynolds smiled.
"You were just a frightened woman."
"I convinced you that separating the twins would protect the company."
"I forged the documents."
"I bribed the judges."
"I sold Michael."
"I made you believe it was your idea."
Margaret collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably.
For the first time...
she realized she had been someone else's puppet.
Reynolds slowly aimed the gun at Evelyn.
"Your father discovered everything."
"He was about to expose me."
"So I made sure..."
"...he never had the chance."
The room froze.
Daniel felt his blood turn to ice.
"You..."
"You killed him?"
Reynolds smiled without remorse.
"I didn't just steal his company."
"I stole his future."
Before anyone could react...
A single gunshot echoed through the lobby.
Reynolds staggered backward.
His pistol slipped from his hand.
Everyone turned toward the shooter.
Standing at the entrance...
was an elderly man in a wheelchair.
His silver hair framed a face every executive recognized instantly.
Someone whispered in disbelief,
"Impossible..."
"The founder died thirty years ago..."
The old man looked straight at Evelyn.
Then he smiled.
"My daughter..."
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"I'm sorry I came home so late."
To be continued…
