Chapter 4 - The Betrayal Inside the House
Victor didn't go downstairs.
Instead, he sent Daniel a message.
Five minutes.
Then he called the only security officer he was still certain he could trust.
Michael Reeves had worked for Antonio before Victor inherited the organization.
“Come to Mother's room.”
Michael arrived three minutes later.
Victor showed him Sylvia's notebook.
Michael read Daniel's name twice.
“You're sure?”
“My mother is.”
That was enough.
Victor told Michael to quietly restrict Daniel's access to the security system without alerting him.
Then Victor went downstairs.
Daniel waited in the library.
“You took your time.”
“My mother needed something.”
Daniel nodded.
“What did you find?”
Daniel opened a folder.
Most of the information was probably fabricated.
Victor pretended to read.
Then he noticed something.
Daniel's handwriting.
The letter G.
The unusual shape of the lowercase t.
Victor remembered the pharmacy receipt.
Increase dose slowly. It needs to look natural.
He looked up.
Daniel was watching him.
Victor closed the folder.
“Useful.”
Daniel relaxed.
Victor walked away.
An hour later, Michael confirmed it.
Daniel had accessed Sylvia's medical files repeatedly.
More disturbing, he had transferred money to an account associated with Audrey's personal assistant.
Victor finally understood the structure.
Audrey was not acting alone.
Daniel had helped her.
But why?
Money?
Power?
Or something else?
Victor decided to find out.
He arranged a trap.
The following afternoon, he announced that Sylvia would be transferred to a private rehabilitation facility the next morning.
Audrey immediately objected.
“She isn't strong enough.”
“The doctors disagree.”
“I've been caring for her.”
“And you've done enough.”
Audrey stared at him.
For one moment, Victor thought she knew.
Then she smiled.
“Of course.”
At 10:14 that night, surveillance cameras recorded Audrey entering Daniel's office.
Victor listened from another room.
“He's moving Sylvia.”
Daniel cursed.
“If she leaves the estate, we lose control.”
“What about Gabriel?”
“He's becoming a problem.”
Audrey lowered her voice.
“And Victor?”
Daniel paused.
“He doesn't know.”
Audrey laughed nervously.
“You don't know Victor.”
“I've worked beside him for eleven years.”
“And I'm marrying him.”
Silence.
Then Audrey said:
“He notices everything.”
Victor almost smiled.
At least she had learned something about him.
Daniel opened a drawer.
“We need the flash drive.”
“Gabriel has it.”
“No. You had it.”
“I gave it back.”
“Why?”
“Because I'm not stupid enough to keep stolen Moretti documents in my bedroom.”
Daniel swore.
Victor listened carefully.
So Gabriel possessed the drive.
Then Audrey said something unexpected.
“I never agreed to hurt Sylvia.”
Daniel laughed.
Victor frowned.
Audrey continued.
“You said the medication would keep her confused. You said she'd sleep.”
“It did.”
“You increased it.”
Victor's expression changed.
Daniel had changed the plan.
Audrey was guilty of cruelty.
She had willingly drugged Sylvia.
But Daniel had escalated it.
“Don't suddenly develop a conscience,” Daniel said.
Audrey's voice trembled.
“I want Victor's money. I don't want his mother dead.”
There it was.
The motive.
Money.
Daniel stepped closer.
“You wanted the marriage. Gabriel wanted his legal claim recognized. I wanted control of the organization after Victor lost everything.”
Three conspirators.
Three different goals.
Bound together by greed.
But alliances built on greed never lasted.
Victor knew that better than anyone.
He waited until Audrey left.
Then he entered Daniel's office.
Daniel froze.
Victor locked the door.
Neither man spoke.
Finally Daniel smiled.
“How much did you hear?”
“Enough.”
Daniel's smile disappeared.
Victor placed the pharmacy receipt on the desk.
“You wrote this.”
Daniel stared at it.
“Eleven years,” Victor said quietly.
“I stood beside you for eleven years.”
“You stood beside my money.”
Daniel's expression hardened.
“You inherited everything.”
Victor shook his head.
“So that's what this is?”
“You were born into a throne.”
“You think I didn't earn anything?”
“I think Antonio gave you a name that wasn't yours.”
Victor absorbed the words.
So Daniel knew too.
“How long?”
“About a year.”
“Gabriel told you?”
Daniel smiled.
“He approached me.”
Victor finally saw the entire structure.
Gabriel had returned wanting recognition.
Daniel saw opportunity.
Audrey saw wealth.
Together they created a conspiracy none of them completely controlled.
“Where's Gabriel?”
Daniel remained silent.
Victor stepped closer.
“Where?”
Suddenly the lights went out.
The estate plunged into darkness.
Emergency alarms sounded.
Victor immediately understood.
This wasn't an accident.
He rushed toward Sylvia's room.
Michael met him halfway.
“Backup generator was disabled.”
“Marta?”
“Safe.”
“My mother?”
Michael hesitated.
Victor's blood froze.
“What?”
“The nurse says someone moved her.”
Victor ran.
Sylvia's room was empty.
On her pillow sat the brass chapel key.
And beneath it was a handwritten note.
Victor recognized Gabriel's handwriting.
May you like
If you want the truth about Antonio, come to the chapel alone.
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