Chapter 7 - THE ASHFORD MOTHER’S ULTIMATUM
Catherine Ashford received Luke in the blue drawing room of the family estate.
She had dressed for the confrontation.
Her silver hair was perfectly arranged. Pearls circled her throat. A tray of untouched tea rested on the table between them.
She looked less like a worried mother than a queen preparing to deny treason.
Luke entered with Marco and Detective Bennett.
Catherine’s mouth tightened.
“Police?”
“Elena was taken last night,” Luke said.
Catherine lifted her cup.
“I heard.”
“How?”
“The news travels quickly.”
“It has not been released.”
Her hand paused.
Only slightly.
Bennett noticed.
“So,” Catherine said, lowering the cup, “you came here to accuse me.”
Luke placed his phone on the table and showed her the photograph of Elena.
Catherine’s face remained controlled until she read the message.
Then the color drained from her cheeks.
“Where did you get this?”
“Who knew about the baby?”
Catherine looked at him.
“What baby?”
Luke swept the tea tray from the table.
Porcelain shattered across the floor.
Marco stepped forward, but Luke held up one hand.
Catherine stared at the broken cups.
“You have become unstable.”
“My wife is missing.”
“You divorced her.”
“I will not repeat myself.”
Bennett opened her notebook.
“Mrs. Ashford, your vehicle was recorded following the van believed to have transported Elena.”
Catherine turned toward her.
“My driver uses that vehicle.”
“Where is he?”
“I don’t know.”
“What is his name?”
“You can ask my attorney.”
Luke leaned over the table.
“You told Adrian to keep Elena away from me.”
Catherine’s eyes moved back to him.
“Adrian told you that?”
“No. Elena did.”
It was a bluff.
Catherine reacted anyway.
“She spoke to you?”
Luke saw the fear.
“You thought she couldn’t.”
Catherine stood.
“This conversation is over.”
Luke blocked her path.
“No. It started six months ago when you helped convince me my father’s enemies were coming after her.”
“I tried to protect this family.”
“By destroying mine?”
“Elena was never suited to your life.”
Luke’s face became still.
Catherine continued, unaware that every word moved her closer to disaster.
“She was sentimental, weak, and completely unprepared for what your position required. You changed after marrying her. You questioned decisions. You hesitated.”
“I became human.”
“You became vulnerable.”
Bennett interrupted.
“Did you know Elena was pregnant?”
Catherine looked at the detective with open disdain.
“I will not discuss private family matters.”
Luke stepped closer.
“That means yes.”
Catherine’s voice sharpened.
“It means I owe you no explanation while you threaten me in my own home.”
Luke pulled out Elena’s wedding ring and placed it on the table.
Catherine stared at it.
“They tore this from her neck.”
For the first time, genuine emotion appeared in Catherine’s eyes.
Not guilt.
Recognition.
Luke saw it.
“You’ve seen that chain before.”
Catherine said nothing.
“Where is she?”
“I don’t know.”
Luke picked up the ring.
“Where is my child?”
“I said I don’t know.”
The doors opened.
Adrian entered.
He looked shocked to find police inside.
“What happened?”
Luke crossed the room and punched him.
Adrian crashed against a cabinet.
Catherine screamed.
Marco closed the doors.
Bennett did not interfere.
Adrian wiped blood from his mouth.
“What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Elena is missing.”
Adrian’s eyes widened.
“When?”
“Stop acting.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Luke showed him the photograph.
Adrian studied it.
His fear looked convincing.
Too convincing.
“Who sent this?” Adrian asked.
“You did.”
Adrian laughed once.
“That is insane.”
“The settlement money is gone.”
Adrian’s expression shifted.
“Luke—”
“The apartment was never transferred. The trust was emptied. There was no security team.”
“I can explain.”
“Then explain.”
Adrian straightened his jacket.
“The funds were moved because there was a threat against company assets. I intended to restore them.”
“You watched her.”
“To protect her.”
“You entered her house.”
“No.”
“You intercepted her calls.”
Adrian looked toward Catherine.
That glance was enough.
Luke turned to his mother.
“You both knew.”
Catherine’s composure cracked.
“We were trying to prevent a catastrophe.”
“What catastrophe?”
She looked at Adrian.
Adrian gave a small shake of his head.
Luke grabbed him by the collar.
“What catastrophe?”
Catherine spoke.
“The child may not be yours.”
The room went silent.
Luke released Adrian.
Catherine continued quickly.
“Elena met with someone after the separation. We had photographs.”
“After the separation?”
“The dates were unclear.”
Luke stared at her.
“You knew she was pregnant before I did, and instead of telling me, you investigated whether my child belonged to me.”
“We protected you.”
“No. You protected the inheritance.”
Catherine’s silence confirmed it.
Under the terms of the Ashford family trust, Luke’s biological child would eventually control a majority voting interest.
Adrian would receive far less.
Luke turned toward his brother.
“That is why you did this.”
Adrian shook his head.
“You are not thinking clearly.”
A phone began ringing.
Not Luke’s.
Not Marco’s.
The sound came from a drawer in Catherine’s desk.
Bennett opened it.
Inside was a prepaid phone.
The screen displayed an incoming call from a blocked number.
Bennett answered and activated the speaker.
A distorted voice filled the room.
“Mrs. Ashford, the woman is awake.”
Catherine closed her eyes.
Luke stared at her.
May you like
The voice continued.
“She keeps asking for Luke.”
