Chapter 8 - LEAH'S CHOICE
Voss wanted the necklace.
Matteo wanted Luca.
Simple.
Except Leah noticed something.
The video wasn't live.
A clock behind Luca showed 4:12.
It was 4:29.
She whispered to Elena.
“Old video.”
Elena understood.
Voss didn't have Luca anymore.
She only wanted them to believe she did.
Leah stepped forward.
“I'll give it to you.”
“No,” Matteo said.
Leah ignored him.
Voss held out her hand.
Leah removed the necklace.
Walked closer.
Then dropped it into a glass of water.
Voss screamed.
She lunged.
Matteo caught her.
Security flooded the room.
The necklace wasn't destroyed.
The chip was waterproof.
Leah knew because she'd dropped it in the bathtub twice.
Voss did not.
For the first time, the woman who had manipulated governments and criminals lost control because a ten-year-old knew something she didn't.
Police arrived.
Federal agents followed.
Luca had already escaped his captors with Salvatore's help.
Voss was arrested.
The encrypted files were delivered to investigators through attorneys and journalists simultaneously.
No single person could bury them.
No single powerful family controlled the truth.
The network collapsed.
But victory came with a cost.
Salvatore surrendered too.
He had committed crimes during his years undercover.
Maya watched him being taken away.
“Daddy?”
It was the first time she called him that.
Salvatore stopped.
He crouched.
“Yes?”
“Come back.”
His eyes filled.
“I'll try.”
Matteo turned away.
Leah saw him wipe his face.
She pretended not to.
May you like
Adults deserved that kindness sometimes.
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