Chapter 16: The Guardian of the Legacy
Chapter 16: The Guardian of the Legacy
The room fell silent.
Nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
For thirty years, Eleanor had walked through the Valmont mansion carrying trays of coffee, organizing family dinners, and standing quietly in the background.
Everyone saw a servant.
Nobody saw the woman who had protected the biggest secret of the Valmont family.
Adrian stared at her.
"You knew everything?"
Eleanor looked at him.
"Not everything."
She glanced at Mariana.
"But enough."
Mariana stepped forward.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Eleanor's eyes softened.
"Because Victor asked me not to."
"Even after everything?"
"Especially after everything."
Mariana's expression hardened.
"I was humiliated in that house."
"I know."
"I was treated like I had no value."
"I know."
"Then why did you stay silent?"
For the first time, Eleanor looked guilty.
"Because Victor believed the truth had to reveal itself."
Mariana laughed quietly.
"That's what everyone says when they are too afraid to act."
The words hurt.
Because they were true.
Eleanor lowered her head.
"You are right."
A long pause.
"I failed you."
Adrian looked between them.
"Who killed my father?"
Eleanor remained silent.
Then she slowly opened a small wooden box.
Inside was an old recording device.
"Victor recorded everything."
She pressed a button.
The room filled with Victor's voice.
"If you are hearing this, then the person I trusted most has finally been exposed."
Everyone listened.
"I discovered someone inside my company was stealing money. But the theft was only a small part of the betrayal."
The recording continued.
"They wanted control of the family. They wanted the Valmont name without the responsibility."
Mariana looked at Eleanor.
"Who?"
The recording became distorted.
Then Victor's voice returned.
"The person responsible is someone who has always believed they deserved more than they received."
Adrian's face changed.
Because only one person came to mind.
Vivienne.
But Eleanor shook her head.
"No."
Everyone looked at her.
"Vivienne was involved."
Adrian froze.
"But she wasn't the mastermind."
Mariana narrowed her eyes.
"Then who?"
Eleanor looked at the door.
And whispered:
"Someone who has been waiting for this moment for years."
At that exact moment, every screen in the room turned on.
A man appeared.
The same hidden figure from before.
But this time, his face was visible.
Mariana's breath stopped.
Adrian stepped back.
Because he recognized him too.
The man smiled.
"Hello, family."
May you like
Mariana whispered:
"Richard."
