CHAPTER 11 Victoria's Final Secret
The accusation shook the mansion.
Daniel immediately turned toward Noah.
"Watch your words."
Noah didn't move.
"Why?"
"Because she's my mother."
"And she's mine too."
That sentence stopped Daniel.
For the first time...
He realized something.
Noah wasn't just angry.
He was hurt.
A lifetime of abandonment had shaped him.
Emma stepped between them.
"We need proof."
Noah looked at her.
"Of course."
He pulled another item from his pocket.
A small recording device.
Daniel frowned.
"What is that?"
"Something Richard left behind."
Noah pressed the button.
At first, only static.
Then...
Richard Harrington's voice.
Older.
Tired.
Afraid.
"If you hear this, it means I couldn't fix what I created."
Daniel's expression changed.
His father's voice continued.
"I spent my life building an empire."
A pause.
"But I failed at the one thing that mattered."
The recording became clearer.
"I failed my children."
Emma looked down.
Noah closed his eyes.
Richard continued:
"Victoria knows the truth."
Daniel looked at Noah.
The recording went on.
"She knows why Noah disappeared."
A pause.
"And she knows who ordered it."
The recording stopped.
Silence.
Daniel looked at his mother’s door upstairs.
"No."
Emma turned.
"Daniel."
"No."
His voice was shaking.
"My mother wouldn't..."
Noah interrupted.
"You still believe the person who raised you is incapable of hurting you."
Daniel looked at him.
"And you don't?"
Noah's expression became empty.
"I learned not to."
Suddenly...
A loud crash came from upstairs.
Everyone turned.
A scream followed.
May you like
Victoria.
Daniel ran.
