Chapter 7 - THE WOMAN IN THE RED DRESS RETURNSThe Halcyon gala took place inside the Grand Meridian Hotel, where politicians, hospital directors, and wealthy donors gathered beneath gold chandeliers.
Julian planned to announce the final merger at midnight.
If the documents were signed, Halcyon would gain control of the Vance clinics, foundation properties, and medical records of thousands of children.
Mia wore a borrowed black gown.
Chloe concealed a transmitter inside her necklace. Thomas entered through the service entrance, while Marcus and Lena monitored the building from a van across the street.
Mia carried the steel box.
The real ledger was not inside.
They had replaced it with blank pages and a tracking device.
Evelyn waited near the ballroom staircase in a crimson dress.
She looked almost exactly as she had on the day she struck Mia, but the confidence around her eyes had hardened into desperation.
“You clean up well,” Evelyn said.
“You still look like a criminal.”
Evelyn smiled for the cameras.
“Careful. Everyone here thinks you helped Richard steal from dying children.”
“Where is he?”
“Safe for now.”
“You arranged his transport.”
“I arranged many things.”
Mia handed her the box.
Evelyn checked the lock.
“Come with me.”
They entered a private elevator guarded by Daniel.
The elevator descended beneath the ballroom into the hotel’s old wine cellar.
Richard sat handcuffed to a chair.
He was bruised but conscious.
Mia rushed toward him, but Daniel blocked her path.
Evelyn opened the steel box.
She found blank pages.
Her face changed.
“You stupid girl.”
“You were never getting the ledger.”
Evelyn struck Mia across the face.
The sound echoed through the cellar.
This time, Mia did not stumble.
She turned back slowly.
“The last time you did that, Richard ended your marriage.”
Evelyn raised her hand again.
“This time,” Mia continued, “you ended your freedom.”
The transmitter in Chloe’s necklace was broadcasting every word.
Evelyn froze.
Daniel ripped the necklace away, but it was too late.
Julian entered through the cellar door.
Unlike Richard, he had silver hair and a thin scar beneath one eye.
He looked at Evelyn with disgust.
“You let them record you.”
“She tricked me.”
“You were hired because manipulation was your only talent.”
Evelyn stared at him.
“Hired?”
Julian approached Richard.
“You were supposed to marry him, secure his signature, and disappear after the merger. Instead, you started stealing money for yourself.”
“I earned that money.”
“You became a liability.”
Evelyn finally understood that Julian intended to sacrifice her.
“You promised me half the foundation.”
“I promised you whatever kept you useful.”
Richard pulled against the handcuffs.
“You destroyed Isabel, Elena, and everyone who trusted this family.”
Julian crouched before him.
“No. Father destroyed us when he chose you.”
He revealed that their father had not merely sent him away. He had transferred Julian’s inheritance to Richard and erased him from official family records.
Julian had spent twenty-nine years rebuilding power under the Halcyon name.
Tonight, he intended to take everything back.
Above them, the orchestra began playing the midnight announcement.
Julian ordered Daniel to move Richard to the roof. A helicopter waited there.
Evelyn blocked the stairs.
“What happens to me?”
“You will remain here beside the kidnapped man and the fraudulent ledger.”
Julian tossed her a pistol.
“When the police arrive, they’ll believe you acted alone.”
Evelyn looked at the weapon.
Then at Julian.
For the first time, she saw the same cruelty she had inflicted on others turned against her.
Daniel dragged Richard toward the elevator.
Mia followed, but Evelyn seized her arm.
“I know where the original merger records are,” she whispered.
“Why should I trust you?”
“You shouldn’t. But we both want Julian destroyed.”
Evelyn slipped a key into Mia’s palm.
“Room 417. Behind the portrait.”
Before Mia could respond, Julian’s security team entered the cellar.
Evelyn raised the pistol.
Instead of aiming at Mia, she fired into the ceiling.
Panic erupted.
Mia ran.
On the fourth floor, Chloe joined her near Room 417. They entered and removed a portrait from the wall.
A safe waited behind it.
The key opened the lock.
Inside were signed contracts, offshore records, and a red flash drive.
Chloe inserted the drive into a laptop.
A live video appeared.
Richard was being forced toward the edge of the hotel roof.
Julian stood behind him.
Then Evelyn entered the frame.
She held the pistol at Julian’s back.
Mia leaned toward the screen.
Evelyn spoke, but the rooftop wind drowned out her words.
Julian slowly turned.
A second figure stepped from the shadows and struck Evelyn from behind.
She collapsed.
The figure removed his hood.
It was Marcus Hale.
May you like
Richard’s trusted attorney.
And he was smiling at Julian.
