Chapter 14 - The Man Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
Claire couldn't move.
Her grandfather looked exactly as she remembered him.
Older.
Thinner.
But alive.
He stared at her.
For a moment, his expression broke.
"My little girl."
Claire's eyes filled with tears.
She wanted to run toward him.
Instead, she stayed where she was.
"You lied to me."
He nodded.
"Yes."
"You let me believe you were dead."
"Yes."
"You let me believe Daniel was dead."
His eyes closed.
"Yes."
Claire's voice shook.
"Why?"
He looked toward Elizabeth.
Then toward the elderly woman.
"Because I thought I could control the damage."
Claire laughed bitterly.
"You destroyed everyone."
"I know."
"Why?"
He walked toward the table.
"Because I trusted the wrong person."
Claire stared.
"The sixth person."
He nodded.
"Yes."
"Who?"
He looked at the document.
"Someone who has been controlling Parker Holdings for decades."
Claire waited.
Her grandfather whispered one name.
But before he could finish, the building's security alarm began screaming.
Elizabeth looked toward the windows.
Cars were approaching.
Her grandfather's expression changed.
"They found us."
Claire stepped toward him.
"Who?"
He grabbed her hand.
"You need to leave."
"No."
"Claire."
"No more secrets."
He stared at her.
Then he finally said:
"The sixth person is not one of us."
Claire frowned.
"Then who is it?"
Her grandfather looked toward the elderly woman.
She was gone.
Claire turned.
"Where did she go?"
Her grandfather's face became pale.
"She was never supposed to be here."
Elizabeth whispered.
"Who was she?"
The old man didn't answer.
Outside, several vehicles stopped.
Doors opened.
People surrounded the building.
Claire moved toward the window.
A familiar man stepped out of the lead vehicle.
Ray.
But he was not alone.
Beside him stood Daniel.
Claire stared.
Daniel looked toward the building.
Then toward Ray.
They were not fighting.
They were standing together.
Claire turned toward her grandfather.
"What's happening?"
He whispered.
"The family has finally chosen a side."
Claire looked outside.
Daniel raised his hand.
Ray did the same.
The men behind them raised weapons.
Claire stepped backward.
Her grandfather whispered:
"Don't trust either of them."
Then the front door exploded inward.
Everyone ducked.
Smoke filled the hallway.
Claire grabbed Elizabeth's hand.
They ran toward the rear exit.
Daniel shouted from outside.
"Claire!"
She stopped.
His voice sounded desperate.
"Don't let him reach you!"
Claire turned.
"Who?"
Daniel looked directly toward the building.
"The man behind all of this."
Claire saw another figure stepping from one of the cars.
A man in a dark suit.
He removed his sunglasses.
Claire recognized him immediately.
The fifth lawyer.
Margaret whispered behind her:
"That's impossible."
Claire stared.
Because Margaret's name had been on the original list.
May you like
And beside her name was a single word.
Controller.
