Chapter 2: The Woman Everyone Thought Was Dead

The concierge carefully opened the envelope.

Inside were dozens of photographs.

Hotel security footage.

Bank transfer records.

Copies of passports.

Every document carried one name.

Victoria Hale.

Then came a handwritten letter.

The concierge began reading aloud.

"If you're reading this, Victoria has finally tried to steal everything I built."

The lobby fell silent again.

"She isn't my business partner."

"She's my younger sister."

"Three years ago she arranged my disappearance so she could inherit my company, my fortune... and my identity."

Gasps echoed through the crowd.

Victoria shook her head violently.

"She's lying!"

But the concierge continued.

"If my daughter ever brings you this envelope, believe her. She escaped because I told her where the evidence was hidden."

The little girl lowered her head.

"My mommy isn't dead."

Another photograph slipped from the envelope.

It showed Eleanor.

Alive.

Thin.

Locked inside a remote cabin.

Dated only five days earlier.

Someone in the crowd immediately called the police.

Victoria suddenly shoved the concierge aside and sprinted toward the revolving doors.

But before she could escape...

Luxury SUVs screeched to a stop outside the hotel.

Federal investigators poured into the lobby.

Their commander held up an arrest warrant.

"Victoria Hale."

"We've been looking for you."