Chapter 9 - The Woman in the Photograph
Richard chose a public location.
A luxury hotel ballroom filled with hundreds of people attending a charity gala.
He believed Damian couldn't move against him there.
He was wrong.
Beatrice entered first.
She no longer wore her maid uniform.
Clara had chosen a simple black evening gown for her.
When Bea stepped from the elevator, Damian looked at her and forgot what he had been saying.
Bea noticed.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You're staring.”
“No.”
“You are.”
Damian cleared his throat.
“Stay focused.”
She smiled slightly.
“Of course, boss.”
His eyes narrowed.
She walked away before he could answer.
Richard waited near the ballroom balcony.
“Beatrice.”
“Richard.”
“You look different.”
“I've had a difficult week.”
He smiled.
“Where's the ledger?”
“Where's the truth about my mother?”
Richard's smile faded.
“She was brave.”
“You poisoned her.”
“She forced my hand.”
“No. You made a choice.”
Richard studied her.
“You sound like Damian.”
“I'll try not to be offended.”
Across the ballroom, Damian watched.
Richard leaned closer.
“Do you know why Vittorio left you the money?”
“No.”
“Because Margaret wasn't merely his accountant.”
Bea's stomach tightened.
“What are you saying?”
“Your mother was his most trusted intelligence officer.”
Beatrice stared.
“She collected evidence on everyone. Including me.”
“And you killed her.”
“Yes.”
The simplicity of the answer made Bea hate him more.
“But she hid one thing I never found.”
“What?”
Richard smiled.
“The original Costello succession document.”
Bea frowned.
“What does that have to do with me?”
“Everything.”
He produced a photograph.
The same image of Bea, Margaret, and Vittorio.
But this version was wider.
Another person stood beside them.
Damian's mother.
And she was holding baby Clara.
Richard whispered:
“Your families were connected long before you knew Damian existed.”
Bea looked toward Damian.
Richard followed her gaze.
“He'll choose his empire over you.”
“You don't know him.”
“I raised him.”
“No.”
Richard smiled.
“I taught him what power costs.”
Bea shook her head.
“You taught him to distrust everyone.”
“And yet he trusts you.”
For the first time Richard sounded irritated.
“That is why you're dangerous.”
Security moved toward them.
Richard noticed.
“Time to go.”
Bea grabbed his wrist.
“No.”
He looked down.
“You don't control the ending anymore.”
Richard smiled.
“Neither do you.”
The ballroom lights died.
People screamed.
Damian ran.
When emergency lighting returned, Richard was gone.
And so was Beatrice.
Damian stood in the center of the ballroom.
For one second, the entire world seemed to stop.
Then his phone vibrated.
A photograph arrived.
Beatrice bound to a chair.
Richard standing behind her.
Message:
BRING THE LEDGER OR SHE DIES AT DAWN.
Damian stared at the image.
Clara reached him.
“Damian.”
He didn't answer.
“What are you going to do?”
He looked at his sister.
For years, everyone believed Damian Costello valued power above everything.
Richard believed it too.
That was his mistake.
Damian picked up his phone.
“Get me Eleanor Pendleton.”
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“Why?”
“Because tonight the Costellos and Pendletons finish the war together.”
