Chapter 10 - Miraculous Return
Dust and metal debris exploded across the study floor as Liam and Clara picked themselves up from the wreckage. Richard dropped the ledgers in sheer disbelief, his eyes widening as he stared at his daughter standing before him, soaked, shivering, but very much alive.
"Clara?! My God, Clara!" Richard cried out, rushing forward to embrace his daughter, tears streaming down his weathered cheeks. "They told me... Victoria told me you went out of town!"
Victoria stared at them as if she were looking at ghosts, her face draining of all color. Her manicured hands trembled slightly as she gripped the crystal paperweight. "How... how are you alive? I locked the cover! I dropped the keys!"
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"Because evil always leaves a blind spot, Victoria," Clara said, her voice ringing with icy clarity as she stepped forward, her eyes locked onto her stepmother's terrified gaze. "You thought you could drown me and my unborn child to steal my inheritance, but you underestimated the people who love me."
Detective Vance stepped closer, clicking the handcuffs sharply into place around Victoria's wrists as she thrashed in futile rage. "You've got the right to remain silent, Mrs. Vance. Trust me, you're going to need it," Marcus said coldly, shoving her against the bookshelf.
