Chapter 32 - The Empty ResortAdrian contacted the resort.
No one answered.
Sofia’s tactical team changed course and returned to shore, leaving Mara’s group stranded at the offshore hotel.
The live feed showed the silver-haired woman walking through the deserted restaurant.
Every guest room had been evacuated through a false fire alarm.
Vivian and several trust representatives were missing.
The woman approached Eleanor’s empty chair and sat down.
Mara activated the audio channel.
“Who are you?”
The woman smiled into the camera.
“You have called me several names.”
“Give me one.”
“Agnes Trent.”
Dr. Trent dropped his medical key.
“My mother died when I was a child.”
Agnes tilted her head.
“Another successful certificate.”
Dr. Trent’s father had helped construct the identity system. Agnes served as its first medical witness. When Eleanor died, Agnes became the first replacement.
She had also been the doctor who treated Margaret after the crash.
“You kept her alive,” Mara said.
“I kept all of them usable.”
Margaret’s face tightened.
Agnes explained that Rose, Margaret and Eleanor had fought over the registry for decades. Agnes maintained continuity by ensuring none could gain permanent control.
“Then you imprisoned Elise.”
“I preserved the memory witness.”
“You drugged my grandmother.”
“I prepared the final transition.”
Mara looked at Rose.
“Was the woman who died eleven days ago you?”
Rose shook her head.
Agnes answered.
“Her name was Lillian Crowe. She played Eleanor for six years and became emotionally attached to you.”
The grandmother who wrote the letter and planned the reunion had not been Eleanor, Rose, Margaret or Agnes.
She had been a hired replacement who chose to expose them.
Mara felt grief return in a new form.
Lillian had lied about her name but perhaps not about loving her.
Agnes placed her palm on the restaurant table.
The offshore registry reacted.
REMOTE MEDICAL OVERRIDE DETECTED.
Dr. Trent looked at his key.
“She copied the physician role.”
The doors around the underground chamber began locking.
Agnes spoke through every speaker.
“Lillian intended to give the network to Mara. Margaret intended to destroy it. Rose intended to sell it. Charles intended to steal it.”
“And you?” Mara asked.
“I intend to preserve it.”
Gas hissed through vents above the seven chairs.
Agnes smiled.
“Continuity requires that inconvenient heirs remain dead.”
The video feed ended.
Victor moved toward the emergency controls.
But Celeste struck him with the metal key and grabbed his weapon.
She pointed it at the group.
May you like
“Everyone sit down,” she ordered.
“I finally know what my reservation is worth.”
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