Chapter 8 - THE FIRE
Gregory survived.
The explosion occurred seconds after he stepped away from the vehicle.
The blast destroyed the engine compartment and shattered nearby windows.
Investigators found a remote ignition device.
Someone had tried to kill him.
Or someone wanted the attack to appear real.
Gregory was taken to a private hospital under police protection.
Daniel went to see him.
Eleanor remained at the mansion with Mark.
She replayed the hidden-camera footage from the previous week.
Most recordings showed Vanessa humiliating staff.
One showed something far more important.
On the third night, Vanessa entered the kitchen at 2:14 a.m.
She opened the rear door.
A man wearing a baseball cap stepped inside.
His face remained turned away from the camera.
Vanessa gave him a small envelope.
He handed her a key.
The man wore a silver watch with a damaged blue face.
Eleanor had seen that watch before.
Gregory wore it during Daniel’s company anniversary dinner.
She called Detective Bennett.
Hospital security footage showed Gregory entering his room without the watch.
He claimed it had been destroyed in the explosion.
The kitchen video had been recorded three days before the blast.
Daniel returned from the hospital looking exhausted.
“Gregory says Vanessa threatened him.”
“With what?”
“He approved payments to one of Adrian’s companies years ago.”
“He believed the invoices were legitimate.”
“Vanessa found the records and used them against him.”
Eleanor showed Daniel the kitchen footage.
He watched the man’s hand pass the key to Vanessa.
“That could be anyone.”
“It could.”
“But you think it is Gregory.”
“I think evidence should be tested before loyalty is offered.”
Daniel turned away.
“You never trusted anyone I chose.”
Eleanor absorbed the accusation.
It was not entirely untrue.
Daniel’s father had died when Daniel was twenty-two.
Eleanor spent years protecting the company and her son from people who saw grief as weakness.
Sometimes protection had become control.
Vanessa used that tension perfectly.
“She told me you would do this,” Daniel said.
“She said you would create a reason to destroy our relationship.”
Eleanor’s voice softened.
“I did not pour the bucket.”
“I did not forge your signature.”
“I did not hide her husband.”
Daniel looked at the dark television screen.
“No.”
“But you did disguise yourself.”
“Yes.”
“And now I don’t know whether anyone in this house has ever trusted me.”
Before Eleanor could answer, Mark entered.
Vanessa had sent Daniel a message from an unknown number.
May you like
It contained a photograph of Gregory’s hospital room.
The message read, “Ask him who really killed your father.”
