Chapter 4 - The Man Who Stole a FamilyAt four in the morning, I woke screaming.
The dream was always the same.
A gun.
A black SUV.
Mom falling.
Blood.
Then strong arms lifting me.
"It's okay, baby."
Mom held me against her chest.
"You are safe."
But I knew better.
Danger had followed us home.
While Sarah slept, I heard Evelyn speaking on the phone.
"Freeze the offshore accounts."
A pause.
"No. I don't care what it costs."
Another pause.
"Get the board together before the market opens."
I understood only one thing.
Something terrible was coming.
At six, Arthur arrived.
He had barely finished reading the will when the elevator bell rang.
Marcus Voss walked into the penthouse.
Silver hair.
Perfect suit.
Warm smile.
Cold eyes.
"Good morning, sister."
Evelyn stood between him and us.
"Leave."
Marcus laughed.
"I came to see family."
His eyes found Sarah.
Then me.
"So this is the granddaughter."
He smiled.
"How touching."
Sarah stepped forward.
"You forged the letter."
Marcus's smile remained.
"You've always been dramatic."
"You paid David to disappear."
Nothing.
"You killed him."
The smile finally changed.
Just slightly.
"Careful."
Evelyn's voice became ice.
"Marcus."
He looked at her.
"You have no idea how long I've waited to hear you say my name like that."
He pulled a document from his briefcase.
"I have an offer."
He placed it on the table.
"Fifty million dollars."
Sarah laughed.
"You think we want your money?"
"You want freedom."
Marcus leaned closer.
"Take the money. Sign away the inheritance. Leave New York."
"And if we refuse?"
His hand moved toward his jacket.
"Then we stop pretending this is a family disagreement."
The room went silent.
Marcus looked at me.
"You should listen to your uncle, little girl."
I stepped closer to my mother.
He smiled.
"Fear is a useful thing."
Evelyn answered:
"So is courage."
May you like
Marcus's hand went inside his jacket.
And the next second, the chandelier exploded.
Related Stories
