Chapter 7 - The Bride Returns
Emilia insisted on going.
Daniel refused.
Then Emilia reminded him of his wedding-night promise.
“You said you would not decide for me.”
He hated hearing his own words used against him.
Adrian almost enjoyed it.
They created a plan with federal agents.
The pendant in Emilia’s necklace was replaced with a duplicate.
The actual data had already been copied.
Daniel returned to the mansion wearing the prosthetic face.
Emilia wore the same simple coat she had arrived in after their wedding.
Marcus waited in the ballroom.
Thomas sat in a chair nearby.
Alive.
Two armed men stood behind him.
Marcus smiled.
“Beautiful couple.”
Daniel stepped forward.
“Let him go.”
“The pendant.”
Emilia removed the necklace.
Marcus held out his hand.
She walked toward him.
Her legs trembled.
But she continued.
Marcus took it.
Then studied Daniel.
“You know what always disappointed me about you?”
Daniel said nothing.
“You never understood fear.”
Daniel almost smiled.
“Oh, I understand it.”
Marcus frowned.
Daniel reached toward his face.
Then removed the prosthetic.
One piece.
Then another.
His real face appeared.
Marcus stared.
For twelve years, Daniel had never removed it in front of him.
—What are you doing?
Daniel dropped the false scars onto the marble floor.
“Stopping.”
Marcus’s expression changed.
“Stopping what?”
“Hiding.”
At that moment Marcus’s phone began vibrating.
Then another phone.
Then another.
Adrian had transmitted the archive.
Marcus checked the screen.
His face drained.
Headlines were already appearing.
Federal warrants.
Financial investigations.
Bank freezes.
—What did you do?
Daniel answered:
“What my father should have done twelve years ago.”
Marcus grabbed Emilia.
A gun appeared.
Daniel stopped.
—Let her go.
“You think this ends because journalists have files?”
“No.”
Daniel looked directly into his eyes.
“It ends because your men know the money they’re protecting is already frozen.”
The two guards behind Thomas exchanged looks.
Marcus saw it.
Control began collapsing.
—Stay where you are!
Nobody moved.
Then Thomas did.
Emilia’s father deliberately kicked the leg of a nearby table.
A heavy silver tray crashed.
Marcus turned instinctively.
Emilia twisted free.
Daniel crossed the room and pulled her behind him.
Federal agents entered seconds later.
Marcus raised the weapon.
Every voice shouted.
He hesitated.
Then slowly dropped it.
The man who had manipulated a dynasty for twelve years was arrested without a dramatic final battle.
Emilia almost found that fitting.
His power had never really come from physical strength.
May you like
It came from secrets.
Once the secrets disappeared, so did he.
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