CHAPTER 2 — THE BILLION-DOLLAR TRAP
Victor laughed.
Then louder.
Then louder still.
"You can't prove anything."
Grandfather didn't answer.
Instead...
One of the attorneys connected a laptop to the television.
Security footage appeared.
Victor frowned.
"What is this?"
The camera angle came from directly above the living room chandelier.
Every slap.
Every insult.
Every threat.
Crystal clear.
Victor slowly turned toward the chandelier.
His mouth opened.
"There was... a camera?"
Grandfather nodded.
"I installed it after Elena told me she suspected financial fraud six months ago."
Victor's confidence disappeared.
Then came the bank records.
More than 214 illegal transfers.
Forged signatures.
Hidden offshore accounts.
Fake charities.
Insurance fraud.
Tax evasion.
Money laundering.
Every crime appeared one after another across the enormous television.
Marissa suddenly screamed.
"Adrian! Turn it off!"
He couldn't.
The investigator calmly unplugged the television.
Then handed Victor a thick folder.
"Federal warrant."
Victor staggered backward.
"This is impossible."
"It gets worse," Grandfather said quietly.
He nodded toward another attorney.
A second folder appeared.
"This contains your attempt to murder my granddaughter."
Victor laughed nervously.
"Attempted murder? She was sick!"
Grandfather looked directly into Adrian's eyes.
"Really?"
He pressed one button.
Another video played.
This time...
It came from the attic.
Hidden inside a smoke detector.
Adrian entered carrying paperwork.
"I've switched your medication."
"You'll die naturally."
"No one will question it."
"And when you're gone..."
"Everything belongs to me."
Silence.
Marissa collapsed onto the sofa.
Victor's hands began shaking uncontrollably.
Adrian slowly backed toward the front door.
Security officers blocked his path.
"You aren't leaving."
Then...
Police sirens echoed outside.
Blue and red lights filled every window.
Dozens of officers surrounded the mansion.
Neighbors gathered across the street.
Reporters arrived within minutes.
Victor whispered,
"My reputation..."
Grandfather answered coldly,
"You should've worried about that before you locked my granddaughter in an attic."
Handcuffs clicked.
One after another.
Victor.
Marissa.
Adrian.
Every member of the Harlan family stood surrounded by police.
Everyone thought the story was over.
It wasn't.
Because Elena had one secret...
May you like
She hadn't told anyone.
Not even her grandfather.
