Chapter 10 - The Bargain Beneath the Stairs
Marcus requested a meeting in the private hospital suite.
Adrian called it an obvious trap.
Isabella called it their only chance.
“If he believes I am frightened enough to return, he may lead us to my mother,” she said.
“He may kill you,” Dr. Shaw replied.
“He has tried to control me since I was a child. I would rather face him knowing the truth.”
Khloe refused to let Isabella go alone.
“You are pregnant,” Adrian said.
“That is exactly why Marcus expects me to hide.”
“You nearly collapsed in the suite.”
“Because he filled the ventilation system.”
“And he can do worse.”
Khloe looked at Victoria.
“What would my father do?”
Victoria’s expression hardened.
“Your father made the mistake of confronting Marcus without enough protection.”
“That is not what I asked.”
“He would go.”
Adrian argued until Khloe placed the laboratory report, trust documents, and her father’s file inside a secure evidence package.
“If we do not return, release everything.”
“To whom?” Adrian asked.
“Every major news organization. Every hospital family named in the index. Every Vale shareholder.”
“Without the recordings, Marcus will call it fabricated.”
“Then make the accusation too large to bury.”
Victoria smiled faintly.
“You are your father’s daughter.”
They returned to St. Aurelia after midnight.
Dr. Shaw entered through the emergency department and created a medical reason for Khloe’s transfer. Adrian remained outside with Victoria, monitoring the camera system.
Isabella entered through the private garage.
Marcus waited in the suite beside the staircase.
He was alone.
At least, he appeared to be.
Khloe walked in first.
Marcus’s eyes moved immediately to her stomach.
“You should be resting.”
“You should stop pretending you care.”
Isabella entered behind her.
Marcus’s expression softened.
“Thank you for coming back.”
“I did not come back for you.”
“You never understood what I did for you.”
“You told me my mother died in a car accident.”
Marcus remained silent.
Isabella took out the hospital bracelet.
“Where is she?”
“Safe.”
“Where?”
“Give me the archive key.”
She held it up.
“Tell me where my mother is.”
Marcus stepped closer.
Khloe moved between them.
“Stay away from her.”
Marcus looked almost amused.
“You two believe you are allies now?”
“We believe you are a liar.”
“I never lied about what mattered.”
Khloe laughed.
“You forged my signature.”
“To protect our child.”
“You tried to sedate me.”
“I tried to calm you.”
“You altered the ventilation system.”
“I stopped a dangerous confrontation.”
Marcus moved toward the curved staircase.
“The world outside this room is not as simple as you think. The Vale network protects thousands of people.”
“It protects you,” Khloe said.
“It protects order.”
He looked at Isabella.
“Your mother was unstable.”
“She discovered your crimes.”
“She became obsessed with things she could not understand.”
“Is she alive?”
Marcus’s silence lasted too long.
Isabella’s hand shook around the key.
“Take me to her.”
“I will, after you give me what belongs to my family.”
Isabella threw the key onto the marble floor between them.
Marcus bent to pick it up.
At that moment, Khloe heard movement above the staircase.
A boy stepped into view.
Noah Cross.
His face was pale.
Marcus slowly straightened.
“Noah, go back upstairs.”
The boy looked at Khloe.
“Is it true?”
Marcus’s voice became sharper.
“Go upstairs.”
Noah held a small recorder.
“You told the headmaster my mother died in an accident.”
Marcus took one step toward him.
Noah raised the device.
“But I heard you talking to Mr. Price.”
Khloe’s pulse raced.
“What did he say?”
Noah looked at Marcus.
“He said my mother was still alive when they took me away.”
Marcus’s calm expression finally cracked.
“Noah, give me the recorder.”
The boy backed toward the glass railing.
Owen Price appeared behind him.
He placed one hand on Noah’s shoulder.
“Do as your father says.”
Noah stared at Marcus.
“My father?”
Marcus closed his eyes briefly.
That was enough.
Noah understood.
Khloe did too.
Owen pulled the boy away from the railing and pushed him toward the private corridor.
Isabella ran after them.
Marcus caught her wrist.
Khloe grabbed his arm.
For one chaotic second, all three struggled near the base of the staircase.
Then Marcus whispered into Khloe’s ear.
“You were never supposed to hear Noah’s recording.”
Khloe stopped.
“What recording?”
May you like
Marcus smiled.
“The one where your father begs me to save you.”
