Chapter 17 - THE LAST HOSTAGE
August did not take Ethan for money.
He took him for silence.
The baby was the living center of the trust, the investigation, and the future of Blackwood National. Without Ethan, the legal fight would fracture. Victor would lose control. Witnesses would panic.
August drove toward a private airfield outside the city.
Lily saw the route on a traffic map and noticed something Quinn missed.
“He’ll stop at the Montigue estate,” she said. “Ethan’s formula is in a blue insulated bag. August doesn’t know his feeding schedule.”
Victor looked at her. “How can you be sure?”
“Because people like him think money replaces knowledge.”
Police surrounded the Montigue estate quietly. Inside, August paced beside Ethan’s carrier while a pilot waited by the rear entrance.
Ethan cried harder each minute.
August shook the bottle. “Why won’t he take this?”
Lily stepped into the doorway before Victor could stop her.
“The formula is too hot.”
August raised a pistol. “Stay back.”
Lily lifted both hands. “He needs me. You need him quiet. Let me help.”
She walked forward one slow step at a time, speaking only to Ethan.
“It’s okay, sweet boy. Lily’s here.”
His crying changed. He turned toward her voice.
August’s eyes flicked down.
That was enough.
Victor entered from the side and pulled Ethan away as Quinn disarmed August. The pilot surrendered immediately.
August hit the floor screaming about lawyers and political friends.
Quinn handcuffed him. “Your friends are in the ledgers.”
Ethan pressed his face against Lily’s shoulder.
Victor looked at her with an emotion she could not name.
Then an officer rushed in holding a tablet.
Serena had agreed to testify against her father.
May you like
But she had one condition.
She would only speak to Lily.
