Chapter 12: Victoria’s Choice
The shot echoed through the hangar.
Clara flinched.
Marcus cried out behind her.
Victoria had fired past Clara and struck Marcus in the shoulder.
Federal agents rushed forward.
Marcus grabbed Victoria and dragged her against him, using her as a shield.
“You foolish girl,” he hissed.
“You said I would be part of the family,” she whispered.
“You were useful. That is all.”
Victoria drove her heel down onto his foot and pulled away.
Agents tackled Marcus before he could reach the plane.
Malcolm was freed.
For the first time since the gala, Adrian allowed himself to breathe.
But the victory did not last.
One of the federal investigators opened the private jet and found empty fuel containers, forged passports, and files containing the names of judges, officers, and government officials Marcus had bribed.
At the bottom of the final file was a photograph of Senator Charles Ashford.
Victoria’s father had not merely known about the conspiracy.
He had created it.
Victoria sat on the hangar floor, staring at the photograph.
“My father said Marcus was helping protect our family.”
“He was protecting stolen money,” Clara said.
Victoria looked up.
“I almost struck an innocent woman because I believed power made me untouchable.”
Clara said nothing.
Some apologies were not large enough for what had happened.
Marcus was taken into custody, but as agents loaded him into the vehicle, he smiled at Adrian.
“You still think this ends with me?”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
Marcus leaned closer.
“Ask your mother who truly owns Blackthorn Palace.”
That night, Eleanor gathered Adrian and Clara inside the council chamber.
She placed a sealed will on the table.
“This palace has never belonged entirely to the Blackwood family,” she said.
May you like
She looked directly at Clara.
“Half of it belongs to you.”
