Chapter 14 - The WarehouseThe old Brooklyn warehouse smelled of dust and rust.
Inside, I found dozens of boxes.
Each carried my mother's initials.
B.V.
The key opened a metal cabinet.
Inside was a video recorder.
I pressed play.
My mother appeared on screen.
Older.
Tired.
But smiling.
"Charlotte."
I stopped breathing.
"If you're watching this, I failed to protect you."
Tears filled my eyes.
"I need you to know something."
She paused.
"I didn't die because of an accident."
My hand covered my mouth.
"I died because I refused to sell Solmere."
The recording continued.
"Arthur wasn't the mastermind. He was afraid. He wanted power, but someone else wanted the entire empire."
Then she named him.
I froze.
The man from the photograph.
The supposed dead founder of Vanguard.
My mother's final words were almost a whisper.
"His name is Victor Hale."
The screen went black.
Then another video began automatically.
Victor Hale appeared.
Older.
Calm.
Smiling.
"Hello, Charlotte."
I stepped backward.
May you like
He looked directly into the camera.
"I've been waiting twenty-five years to meet you."
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