Chapter 18 - Eleanor’s House
Madeline agreed to cooperate with investigators.
For once, she did not try to bargain.
Police fitted her with a recording device before she went to Eleanor’s mansion.
Daniel hated the plan.
Not because he wanted to protect Madeline from consequences.
Because he had already watched enough people use her as a tool.
Still, she chose to go.
“If I don’t do this,” she told him, “she’ll keep saying I was just a victim. I wasn’t. I made choices. Now I’m making one more.”
Daniel nodded.
He and Thomas waited with Rebecca in an unmarked vehicle down the street while detectives monitored the audio.
Inside the mansion, Eleanor greeted her daughter with one sentence.
“Did you bring the letter?”
Madeline said, “Yes.”
“Give it to me.”
“Why?”
A pause.
Then Eleanor’s voice sharpened. “Because your husband is trying to destroy this family.”
“Daniel didn’t steal twelve million dollars from Thomas.”
Silence.
In the van, Thomas stared at the floor.
Eleanor said, “That money belonged to Whitmore Holdings.”
“Arthur’s letter says it was restitution.”
“Arthur was weak when he wrote that.”
“He admitted Grandpa stole the patent.”
“Your grandfather built an empire. Thomas Carter drew lines on paper.”
Thomas flinched.
Daniel gripped the seat.
Madeline’s voice shook. “You planned my relationship with Daniel.”
“I introduced you to a suitable man.”
“You wrote a strategy memo.”
“And it worked.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
Madeline asked, “Did you ever care if I loved him?”
Eleanor answered without hesitation.
“Love is useful until it becomes expensive.”
Rebecca whispered, “There it is.”
Madeline was crying now. “And Victor?”
“A mistake.”
“You told me to trust him.”
“I told you to keep him close.”
“You knew we were sleeping together?”
Another pause.
“Yes.”
Even Daniel was shocked.
Madeline’s voice broke. “You knew.”
“Of course I knew.”
“Why didn’t you stop me?”
“Because if Daniel ever became difficult, Victor gave you leverage.”
The van went dead silent.
Madeline whispered, “You wanted me to cheat on my husband.”
“I wanted you protected.”
“No. You wanted everyone compromised.”
A glass shattered inside the house.
Then Eleanor’s voice became cold.
“You’re wearing a wire.”
Everyone in the van froze.
Madeline did not answer.
Eleanor repeated, “You’re wearing a wire.”
A hard thud sounded through the audio.
Then static.
Daniel reached for the door.
A detective shouted, “Move!”
May you like
They rushed toward the mansion.
Before they reached the front steps, a gunshot cracked from inside.
