Chapter 10 - GRACE’S LONGEST NIGHTMarcus reached the hospital after midnight.
Grace had suffered a collapsed lung.
Doctors placed a new tube in her chest and increased respiratory support.
Khloe sat beside the incubator.
Her entire body trembled.
Marcus knelt beside her wheelchair.
“She is still fighting.”
Khloe did not look at him.
“So am I.”
The distance between them felt wider than the lake he had just crossed.
Marcus told her everything about Edward.
Khloe listened quietly.
When he finished, she asked one question.
“Did you find proof against Daniel?”
“No.”
“Then he will come back.”
“He has my father.”
“He also has access to your company.”
Marcus understood.
Daniel was not running.
He was preparing the final stage of his plan.
At 3:00 a.m., Thorne Global’s computer systems shut down.
Employee accounts were locked.
Confidential files began appearing online.
News outlets reported that Marcus had hidden massive losses from investors.
The company’s stock collapsed before markets opened.
Daniel released a video claiming Marcus had used hospital influence to frame Isabella.
He presented edited footage showing Khloe arguing with her moments before the assault.
The original attack was removed.
Within hours, conspiracy theories spread.
Some people claimed the kick had been staged.
Others accused the Thornes of using wealth to silence an innocent woman.
Isabella’s attorney demanded her immediate release.
Detective Brooks warned Marcus that Daniel had prepared the misinformation campaign for months.
“He does not need everyone to believe him.”
“He only needs enough confusion to weaken the case.”
Marcus looked toward the neonatal unit.
“Then we release everything.”
Khloe finally turned toward him.
“Not yet.”
Marcus waited.
“Daniel wants you angry.”
“He wants you reacting publicly.”
“That gives him control.”
“What do you suggest?”
“We let him believe he has won.”
Khloe asked Elaine to contact the gala’s production company.
The suite camera was not the only recording device.
The charity event had used wireless microphones.
Isabella had forgotten to remove hers before entering the hospital suite.
Every whispered conversation from the hour before the attack might still exist on the production server.
Elaine returned thirty minutes later.
The files were there.
One recording captured Isabella speaking with Daniel.
Another captured Victoria giving Isabella instructions.
A third contained an unfamiliar male voice.
Khloe listened twice.
Then she looked at Marcus.
“That is your father.”
May you like
Edward’s voice said clearly.
“If Khloe gives birth, Marcus must never learn what Grace truly inherits.”
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