Chapter 9 - THE ABDUCTION
The security cameras showed Beatrice entering the facility at 3:17 a.m.
She had taken Emily.
No one saw her leave.
But she left one message.
BRING CLARA TO THE OLD VANCE ESTATE. ALONE.
Mercer refused.
“I won't let you go.”
“She has my daughter.”
“We'll rescue her.”
“You don't understand.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“No.”
I stared at him.
“She wants me.”
The plan was simple.
I would go.
The FBI would follow.
Ethan would stay hidden nearby.
Julian would provide access codes.
At midnight, I entered the abandoned estate.
The house was dark.
“Beatrice!”
No answer.
Then lights came on.
Beatrice stood at the top of the staircase.
Emily was beside her.
“Mommy!”
I stepped forward.
Beatrice held a gun.
“Stop.”
I froze.
“What do you want?”
“Your baby.”
“You can't have my child.”
She smiled.
“I don't want the child.”
She pointed toward Emily.
“I want the evidence.”
“What evidence?”
“Your blood.”
I stared.
She explained everything.
The genetic marker in my children wasn't merely proof of inheritance.
It was the key to accessing an offshore trust containing billions.
Only descendants of the Bennett line could legally unlock it.
Beatrice had spent decades trying.
She had failed.
Until me.
“You married Julian because of this?”
“Yes.”
“You manipulated my pregnancy.”
“Yes.”
“You stole my daughter.”
“Yes.”
I looked at Emily.
“Let her go.”
Beatrice smiled.
Then another voice came from behind me.
Julian.
“Put the gun down, Mother.”
Beatrice turned.
Julian stood there.
“You.”
He raised his weapon.
“I should have killed you years ago.”
Julian answered:
“You should have loved me instead.”
For a moment, Beatrice looked almost human.
Then she fired.
Julian fell.
I screamed.
“JULIAN!”
Beatrice grabbed Emily.
And ran.
I rushed to Julian.
Blood spread across his shirt.
He grabbed my hand.
“Don't chase her.”
I looked at him.
“Why?”
May you like
He whispered:
“She wants you to.”
