Infobrief

CHAPTER 2: THE EVIDENCE SHE NEVER EXPECTED

The room fell into absolute silence.

Victoria stared at Elena as though she could somehow force the words back into her mouth.

"That's a lie," she snapped.

But her voice lacked its usual confidence.

Adrian didn't move.

His eyes remained fixed on Elena.

"You fell because of the stairs?" he asked softly.

Elena slowly shook her head.

"I didn't fall."

Her fingers tightened around her swollen belly.

"She shoved me."

Victoria laughed nervously.

"This is ridiculous."

"She has no proof."

Elena closed her eyes.

"I thought I didn't."

Then she looked toward the elderly housekeeper standing silently beside the doorway.

Mrs. Collins stepped forward.

Her hands trembled.

"I've kept quiet for too long."

Victoria's head snapped toward her.

"You will leave this house immediately if you say another word."

Mrs. Collins ignored her.

"I saw Miss Elena at the bottom of the staircase."

She swallowed hard.

"She was unconscious."

"The doctor later told me she almost lost the baby."

Adrian slowly turned toward Victoria.

"You told me Elena had already disappeared by then."

Victoria's breathing became uneven.

"I..."

Before she could finish, Mrs. Collins reached into her apron pocket.

"I've been carrying this every day because I knew one day the truth would matter."

She handed Adrian a small flash drive.

"The security cameras covering the staircase automatically backed up every recording."

"I copied it before Madam Victoria ordered the footage erased."

Victoria's face turned white.

"Give that to me."

She lunged forward.

Adrian caught her wrist before she could reach it.

For the first time...

She saw something in his eyes she had never seen before.

Complete disgust.

Minutes later...

The footage played across the massive television in the living room.

Everyone watched in stunned silence.

There was Elena.

Carefully carrying a basket of laundry.

One hand supporting her pregnant stomach.

Victoria appeared behind her.

They exchanged a few words.

Then...

Without warning...

Victoria shoved her with both hands.

Elena crashed down the marble staircase.

The basket flew into the air.

She landed hard.

Curled around her unborn baby.

Never once trying to protect herself.

Only protecting the child.

The recording ended.

Nobody spoke.

Victoria slowly sank into the nearest chair.

Her perfect world had just collapsed.