Chapter 10 - THE BLACK CROWN
Victoria survived.
Barely.
The bullet had entered her shoulder and missed her heart by inches.
Adrian stayed outside the operating room for six hours.
He did not sleep.
He did not eat.
He did not speak.
Elena sat beside him.
Finally, Adrian said:
“I hated her.”
Elena looked at him.
“She lied to me.”
“She was trying to protect you.”
“I know.”
“That's different.”
Adrian stared at the floor.
“Everyone keeps telling me that.”
When Victoria woke, Adrian entered the room alone.
She looked weak.
But her eyes were clear.
“Hello, son.”
Adrian stood beside the bed.
“Who shot you?”
“The organization.”
“Who is the organization?”
Victoria closed her eyes.
“People you have met.”
“Names.”
“Too many.”
“Give me one.”
She looked at him.
“Senator William Cross.”
Adrian's expression changed.
The senator had attended his father's funeral.
He had supported Adrian's businesses.
He had advised him for years.
Victoria continued.
“Richard works for him.”
“And Jonathan?”
“Jonathan once worked with him.”
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
“Once?”
“Your uncle tried to leave.”
“Why?”
“Because he discovered the organization planned to take control of your father's empire.”
Adrian looked at her.
“Why mine?”
“Because your father had something they wanted.”
“What?”
Victoria hesitated.
“The Black Ledger.”
Adrian remembered the metal box.
The ledger inside.
He had not yet opened it.
“What is it?”
“Names.”
“Whose names?”
“Everyone.”
Victoria looked at him.
“Judges. Police chiefs. CEOs. Politicians. Bankers.”
Adrian understood.
The ledger was not just evidence.
It was power.
“Where is it?”
“With you.”
Adrian froze.
“What?”
“Your father hid it before he died.”
“I found a ledger.”
Victoria's eyes widened.
“Where?”
“In the old house.”
“Then you must destroy it.”
“Why?”
“Because if they know you have it, they will destroy everything you love.”
Adrian looked toward the window.
Elena was standing outside.
Victoria saw her.
“Is she the girl?”
“Yes.”
“Then keep her away from this.”
“It's too late.”
Victoria looked at him.
“Adrian.”
He turned.
“Your father didn't die because he was weak.”
“Then why?”
“Because he trusted the wrong person.”
“Who?”
Victoria's voice became a whisper.
“Daniel Vale.”
Adrian stopped.
“My father?”
“Daniel was the one who gave Richard access to the house.”
Adrian's blood went cold.
“He was loyal to Father.”
“Once.”
Adrian left the room.
Elena stood.
“What happened?”
He looked at her.
“Your father betrayed mine.”
Elena's face went white.
“No.”
“My mother says he did.”
“She is lying.”
“Why?”
“Because my father would never do that.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“Everyone says the same thing.”
Then the lights in the hospital went out.
The emergency alarms began to scream.
A nurse ran past them.
Adrian grabbed Elena's hand.
“Stay close.”
They moved through the dark corridor.
A figure appeared at the end.
Adrian raised his gun.
The figure spoke.
“Adrian.”
He recognized the voice.
Daniel.
“What are you doing here?”
Daniel looked at Elena.
“I'm here to take my daughter.”
Elena stepped forward.
“Dad?”
Daniel's expression was full of pain.
May you like
Then he raised his weapon.
“I'm sorry.”
