Chapter 11 - When the Truth Bleeds Through the Cracks
The storm had turned into a torrential gale. Blinded by tears and rain, I made it to the estate gates, where a waiting taxi—arranged in secret by Patricia earlier that day—picked me up and sped toward the city.
Back at Blackwood Manor, Sebastian stood in the middle of the master suite, staring at the five-carat diamond ring resting on the cold marble table. His chest heaved with ragged breaths, his heart shattered into a million pieces.
Marcus, his head of security, rushed into the room, holding an electronic forensic tablet.
"Boss! We just analyzed Victoria’s phone and the document she gave Miss Santos."
"What is it?" Sebastian demanded, his voice dangerously hollow.
"It’s a complete forgery," Marcus stated urgently. "Arthur’s hackers created that fake corporate link two hours ago using a cloned digital signature. Arthur leaked it to Victoria to separate Miss Santos from your security detail! Arthur knew that as long as she was under your roof, he couldn't touch her!"
Sebastian’s blood turned to ice.
"Where did Maria go?"
"Her taxi is heading toward the downtown art gallery," Marcus reported, checking the GPS tracker embedded in the emergency pendant Sebastian had secretly gifted her. "She thinks she’s meeting Patricia Monroe to pick up Diego’s medical passport!"
"Patricia Monroe isn't at the gallery," Sebastian whispered, the horrifying realization hitting him like a physical blow. "Patricia was intercepted at the airport an hour ago. Arthur has the gallery."
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Sebastian grabbed his coat and his sidearm, his eyes blazing with the ferocity of a demon unleashed.
"Mobilize the entire tactical unit," Sebastian roared, storming toward the helipad. "If Arthur lays a single finger on Maria, I will burn this city to the ground!"
