Chapter 14 - THE EMPIRE BURNS
Thomas was arrested.
But within twenty-four hours, three witnesses disappeared.
Two bank accounts vanished.
And Victor Hale's entire organization went underground.
Ronan realized the truth.
Thomas had never been the head.
He had been a decoy.
Someone else had built the empire.
Someone much closer.
Mirabelle found the clue in her mother's old diary.
One sentence.
The person who knows everything is the person who never needed to ask questions.
Mirabelle read it twice.
Then looked at Kellen.
"Who never asks questions?"
Kellen frowned.
"Ronan?"
"No."
"Elias?"
"Dead."
Their mother entered.
"I know."
Mirabelle turned.
Her mother was holding a photograph.
The same woman from the red dress.
Seraphina Vale.
"She's alive."
Mirabelle's heart dropped.
Ronan entered behind them.
"Where?"
Her mother answered:
"Blackhaven Harbor."
They went immediately.
Seraphina was waiting.
She looked exhausted.
She handed Ronan a flash drive.
"I never betrayed you."
Ronan stared.
"You shot yourself."
"Fake blood."
"You staged everything."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Seraphina looked at Mirabelle.
"Because I was trying to get close to the real enemy."
"Who?"
Seraphina's eyes filled with tears.
"Your husband."
Mirabelle froze.
"I don't have a husband."
Seraphina looked at Ronan.
"Not yet."
She pointed at him.
"The person controlling Victor Hale is someone who wants you married to Ronan."
Ronan's face hardened.
"Why?"
"Because once the marriage is legal, the Hayes fortune becomes vulnerable."
Mirabelle understood.
The entire engagement had been designed.
Not by Ronan.
By someone manipulating everyone.
Seraphina whispered:
"Your mother was never the target."
"Then who was?"
"You."
Mirabelle's phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
A man's voice said:
"Congratulations, Mrs. Voss."
She froze.
"We've been waiting for you."
Mirabelle looked at Ronan.
The voice continued:
"Your wedding is tomorrow."
Ronan's eyes darkened.
"We're already married."
A pause.
Then laughter.
"No."
May you like
The caller whispered:
"You aren't."
