Chapter 14 - Adrian’s Last Bargain

Adrian was inside Room 1816.

When investigators opened the door, he stood beside the empty shelves holding Eleanor’s ledger.

Charlotte stopped in the corridor.

He had taken it from Daniel’s secured office during the gala.

Adrian smiled.

“You really are your mother’s daughter.”

“Put the ledger down.”

He looked at the book.

“This destroys more than me.”

“It destroys judges.”

“Investors.”

“Board members.”

“People your company still needs.”

Charlotte stepped closer.

“My company needs employees and guests.”

“It does not need criminals.”

Adrian laughed.

“That sounds wonderful in a speech.”

“Wait until banks refuse your credit.”

“Wait until partners leave.”

“Wait until five thousand employees wonder whether your morality is worth their jobs.”

Charlotte looked at him.

“That was the argument you used on my mother.”

His expression changed.

“You told her exposing you would destroy Solmere.”

“She hesitated.”

“So you stole more.”

Adrian lowered the ledger.

“I built this company beside her.”

“No.”

“You worked for her.”

His face hardened.

“You think ownership makes you competent?”

“No.”

Charlotte said.

“But stealing definitely makes you unqualified.”

Officers moved closer.

Adrian suddenly opened the ledger.

He tore out a page.

Then another.

Charlotte did not react.

Adrian looked confused.

“Stop me.”

“You can destroy that copy.”

His hands froze.

Charlotte continued.

“My mother said to trust the version that couldn’t be edited.”

“She made three paper copies.”

Adrian stared at her.

“One is with federal investigators.”

“One is with Daniel.”

“And you’re holding the third.”

For the first time, Adrian looked defeated.

Charlotte stepped closer.

“You spent years thinking everyone around you was too afraid to keep evidence.”

“You forgot my mother knew exactly who you were.”

Adrian’s shoulders lowered.

Officers took the ledger.

They handcuffed him.

As they led him past Charlotte, he stopped.

“I never meant for Eleanor to die.”

Charlotte looked at him.

“But you meant to drug her.”

Silence.

“You meant to silence her.”

Silence.

“You meant to steal her company.”

Adrian looked away.

Charlotte’s voice became quiet.

“Intentions don’t erase consequences.”

He was taken toward the elevator.

Charlotte entered Room 1816 alone.

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She stood where her mother had hidden the ledger.

Only then did she cry.