Chapter 8 - ECHOES IN THE HALL
Back at the Vance estate—a massive, gated stone mansion sitting on a cliff overlooking the ocean—Eleanor sat alone in the morning room. The velvet curtains were pulled half-shut, casting long, dark shadows across the antique furniture.
A cup of tea sat untouched on the mahogany table beside her, cold and skinning over.
The heavy front door clicked open, and the rhythmic sound of heels against the marble foyer signaled Marissa’s arrival. Eleanor didn't move as her daughter walked into the room, holding a folder of legal documents under her arm.
"He's staying in custody until the preliminary hearing," Marissa said, her tone businesslike as she stopped near the window.
Eleanor didn't look up. "You destroyed your own brother in front of the entire city. Was that your plan all along?"
"He brought this on himself, Mother," Marissa replied coldly. "He used a child as a pawn in his financial schemes. Did you really think I would stay quiet?"
Eleanor turned her head slowly, her face aged ten years in a single night. "You think you're the hero here, don't you? You think you protected Lily. But you don't know half of what your father did to keep this family alive."
"I know enough," Marissa said, opening the folder. "I know Gareth mismanaged forty million dollars from the port development fund. I know he tried to frame Lily so he could seize my shares and cover his tracks before the board meeting. And I know you knew about it."
Eleanor's hands trembled in her lap, but her voice remained cold. "I did what I had to do to protect the family name! If Gareth went to prison, the Vance brand would be worthless! Do you have any idea what happens to your precious daughter's inheritance if the company goes bankrupt?"
"The company won't go bankrupt," Marissa countered, stepping closer to slide a piece of paper onto the table in front of Eleanor. "Because as of eight o'clock this morning, I acquired the voting majority through Father's secondary trust. I have removed Gareth from the executive board, and I am ordering a full forensic audit of all accounts."
May you like
Eleanor looked at the paper, her eyes widening in realization. "You... you used the silver key?"
"Father gave it to me three years before he died," Marissa said softly. "He knew what Gareth was becoming. He knew you would always enable him."
