Chapter 8 - The Arrest Margaret Expected
Elena stepped in front of Daniel.
“You cannot arrest him based on forged evidence.”
The detective looked at her.
“Ma’am, please step aside.”
Richard examined the warrant.
“Who reopened the investigation?”
“An anonymous source submitted the original safety report this morning.”
Daniel looked at Margaret.
She showed no surprise.
That was enough.
“You knew they were coming.”
Margaret folded her hands.
“I warned Elena that actions have consequences.”
Daniel stared at her.
“You reported your own son?”
“I protected the company from your reckless decisions.”
“I was twenty-six.”
“You were old enough to sign documents.”
Richard moved closer to the detectives.
“My client will cooperate, but he will not answer questions without counsel.”
Daniel looked at Elena.
Fear filled her face.
He touched her cheek.
“Go to the apartment in the city.”
“No. I’m staying with you.”
“This house is not safe.”
“Neither are you.”
Lucas stood near the staircase, pale and silent.
Daniel turned to him.
“Take Elena somewhere safe.”
Lucas blinked.
“You trust me?”
“No.”
The answer struck him.
“But right now, I trust Mother less.”
Margaret’s expression did not change.
Lucas looked ashamed.
“I didn’t send the report.”
“Then prove it by protecting her.”
Elena refused to move.
Daniel lowered his voice.
“Our baby needs you calm.”
Tears slid down her cheeks.
“This is what your mother wants. She wants us separated.”
“Only temporarily.”
He kissed her forehead.
“I will come back.”
The officers placed handcuffs around his wrists.
Elena’s face crumpled.
Margaret watched with cold satisfaction.
As Daniel was led toward the door, he stopped beside her.
“You taught me that family loyalty mattered more than anything.”
“It does.”
“No. What you taught me was obedience.”
He looked back at Elena.
“She taught me loyalty.”
Outside, reporters were already gathering.
Someone had alerted the press.
Cameras flashed as Daniel entered the police vehicle.
Elena watched through the open doorway.
One reporter shouted,
“Mr. Morrison, did your wife discover the evidence?”
Another asked,
“Is Elena Ashcroft attempting to take control of Morrison Holdings?”
Elena froze.
Her inheritance was already public.
Margaret stepped beside her.
“You see?”
Elena looked at her.
“What?”
“This is what happens when secrets leave the family.”
“You released the information.”
Margaret smiled faintly.
“No one will believe you.”
Lucas came downstairs carrying a travel bag.
“Come on, Elena.”
Margaret blocked the doorway.
“She is not leaving with you.”
Lucas stared at his mother.
“Daniel told me to protect her.”
“Daniel is under arrest.”
“He is still my brother.”
Margaret’s eyes narrowed.
“You will lose everything.”
Lucas looked around the mansion.
For years, everything he wanted had been inside these walls.
Money.
Approval.
A place in the family.
Then he looked at Elena’s bruised knees.
“Maybe losing this would be an improvement.”
Margaret slapped him.
The sound shocked them both.
Lucas slowly turned back.
A red mark appeared on his cheek.
Margaret whispered,
“You ungrateful child.”
Lucas gave a bitter smile.
“Now I understand why Elena stopped defending herself.”
He took her bag.
“Let’s go.”
They used the service exit to avoid the reporters.
Lucas drove toward the city but changed direction after ten minutes.
Elena noticed.
“This is not the road to the apartment.”
“It isn’t safe there.”
“Where are we going?”
“To someone who might know where Nathan Ashcroft disappeared.”
Elena stared at him.
“You know someone?”
Lucas nodded.
“I found her six months ago.”
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“Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
“Because she said if Margaret discovered she was alive, people would start dying again.”
