Chapter 8 - THE DAUGHTER WHO REFUSED
Ava stared at Bianca.
For the first time in their lives, her stepsister looked genuinely ashamed.
“Say that again.”
Bianca swallowed.
“Mom knows Eleanor is alive.”
“I know.”
“She knows you've found her.”
“I know that too.”
Bianca looked toward Niko.
“And she says the only way to protect her is for Ava to sign.”
Niko picked up the contract.
His expression hardened as he read.
The document transferred all past and future intellectual-property claims connected to Eleanor Monroe to a Whitmore-controlled company.
It also included a confidentiality clause.
Ava would be forbidden from discussing the circumstances of her mother's disappearance.
In exchange, she would receive fifty thousand dollars.
Ava laughed.
The sound startled Bianca.
“Fifty thousand?”
Bianca looked down.
“Mom said you'd be grateful.”
Ava stared at her.
“Eighteen years of my mother's life.”
Her voice broke.
“Eighteen years of mine.”
She pushed the contract away.
“And Victoria thinks fifty thousand dollars will make me disappear?”
Bianca began crying.
“I didn't write it.”
“But you brought it.”
“I didn't know what else to do.”
Ava looked at the woman who had humiliated her before three hundred strangers.
For years, Bianca had seemed untouchable.
Now she looked like a frightened child wearing expensive clothes.
Ava felt no triumph.
Only exhaustion.
“Bianca, when did you know my mother was alive?”
Bianca hesitated.
“Last year.”
Ava went still.
“You knew for a year?”
“Yes.”
“And you said nothing?”
“Mom told me Eleanor was dangerous.”
Ava stared.
“Dangerous?”
“She said Eleanor had threatened our family.”
“My mother was in a wheelchair.”
“I know that now.”
Ava looked away.
The room became silent.
Then Bianca whispered:
“I wanted you to hate me.”
Ava turned.
“What?”
“Mom said if you hated me enough, you'd leave. She thought you'd stop asking questions.”
Ava stared.
“Then why frame me for theft?”
Bianca wiped her face.
“Because Mom said Niko Moretti would be there.”
Niko became still.
“She wanted you to notice Ava,” Bianca continued.
Ava looked at him.
“Why?”
Bianca's voice trembled.
“Because she wanted him to take the key.”
Niko's eyes narrowed.
Ava felt cold.
“The key was never supposed to be discovered by accident.”
Bianca shook her head.
“No. Mom knew it was in the dress.”
“Then why tear it?”
“She wanted the key to fall out.”
Ava stared.
“But she panicked when Niko picked it up.”
Bianca nodded.
“Because he didn't give it to her.”
***
After Bianca left, Ava sat alone in the workshop.
Niko entered quietly.
“Are you all right?”
“No.”
He sat opposite her.
She looked at him.
“Victoria arranged the entire gala humiliation.”
“Yes.”
“She wanted you involved.”
“Apparently.”
“Then why?”
Niko considered.
“Perhaps she believed my family's reputation would make it easier to blame me if something happened to the key.”
Ava frowned.
“Or?”
“Or she wanted to draw me into the same trap she used against my father.”
Ava looked toward the black rose garments.
“Your uncle.”
“Yes.”
“Could he still be alive?”
Niko didn't answer immediately.
Then he said:
“I've begun to think so.”
***
That night, the Connecticut house lost power.
The security cameras went dark.
Ava received a call from the medical team.
Someone had entered the property.
Niko's people responded immediately.
By the time Ava arrived, the intruders were gone.
Eleanor was safe.
But her room had been searched.
The black rose key was still in Ava's possession.
The attackers had taken nothing obvious.
Then Eleanor pointed toward the window.
“Man.”
Ava knelt beside her.
“What man?”
Eleanor's breathing quickened.
“Rose…”
“Mom?”
“Not…Niko.”
Ava looked up.
Niko stood near the doorway.
Eleanor stared at him.
Her face filled with terror.
“Brother.”
Niko went completely still.
“Salvatore?”
Eleanor nodded.
Ava's heart raced.
“Mom, was Salvatore here?”
“Yes.”
Niko turned toward Matteo.
“Lock down every entrance.”
But it was too late.
Outside, a black sedan disappeared through the trees.
***
The following morning, a package arrived at Niko's office.
No return address.
Inside was a photograph of Lorenzo Moretti.
He lay dead on the floor of his study.
The image had never been released publicly.
On the back was a message.
YOUR FATHER DIED BECAUSE HE CHOSE ELEANOR.
Below it:
NOW YOU GET TO MAKE THE SAME CHOICE.
Ava stared at the words.
Niko's expression became unreadable.
Then his phone rang.
An unfamiliar number.
He answered.
A man's voice said:
“Hello, nephew.”
Niko closed his eyes.
“Salvatore.”
The man laughed.
“I hear you've found my old friend Eleanor.”
Niko said nothing.
Salvatore continued.
“Bring me the Rose Ledger.”
“And if I don't?”
May you like
“Then this time, I'll finish what Victoria started.”
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