Chapter 7 - The Fall
The wind lifted Olivia’s hair as Ryan approached.
Vanessa remained several feet behind him, gripping her champagne glass.
“You shouldn’t stand so close to the railing,” Ryan said.
Olivia looked over her shoulder at the darkening ocean.
“You told me the yacht was safe.”
“It is.”
“Then why do you look nervous?”
Ryan stopped.
“I’m worried about you.”
“Are you?”
His expression tightened.
Olivia continued.
“Forty-eight million dollars disappeared from my company.”
Vanessa’s eyes widened.
Ryan said nothing.
“My signature was forged on insurance policies,” Olivia added. “Someone entered my office while I was sleeping.”
Ryan glanced toward the cabin.
“You’re tired. We should go inside.”
“I know about Vanessa.”
The silence that followed was broken only by the wind and waves.
Vanessa looked at Ryan.
“You said she didn’t know.”
Ryan turned sharply.
“Be quiet.”
Olivia stepped closer to the modified section of railing.
“I know about the apartment. The transfers. VCL Holdings. I know what you told her would happen tonight.”
Ryan’s expression changed.
The charming husband disappeared.
In his place stood a man who understood that the life he wanted was slipping away.
“You always thought you were smarter than everyone,” he said.
“No. I trusted the wrong person.”
“You inherited everything. You never earned it.”
Olivia’s voice remained steady.
“I spent twelve years working beside my father.”
“And still, everyone treats you like a princess.”
Vanessa moved forward.
“Ryan, this wasn’t the plan.”
He ignored her.
“You were supposed to sign the control documents after the baby was born,” he said to Olivia. “You were supposed to let me handle the company.”
“So you could steal it?”
“So I could save it.”
“From whom?”
“From you.”
Olivia touched the pendant.
The livestream had begun.
Margaret, investigators, and law enforcement officials were listening.
Olivia needed one final admission.
“What happens to you if I die tonight?”
Ryan’s eyes moved toward the ocean.
“The company survives.”
“And the insurance payment?”
His silence answered her.
Vanessa stepped beside him.
“Stop talking.”
Ryan turned on her.
“You wanted this as much as I did.”
“I wanted the money. I didn’t agree to hurt her.”
“You came here knowing what would happen.”
Vanessa looked toward Olivia.
For the first time, shame crossed her face.
Ryan stepped forward.
Olivia stepped backward through the concealed opening.
She landed safely on the platform below the railing, out of Ryan’s sight.
Then she lowered herself into the water.
The flotation vest inflated instantly.
Above her, Ryan and Vanessa stared into the darkness.
Neither called for help.
Neither threw a flotation ring.
After several seconds, Vanessa raised her glass.
“To our new fortune.”
Ryan laughed.
Olivia pressed the pendant.
May you like
The Celestia’s engines stopped.
Red lights flooded every deck.
