Chapter 18: The Final Betrayal
Chapter 18: The Final Betrayal
The Carver Estate had never felt more dangerous.
After Victor’s arrest, everyone believed the nightmare was ending.
But Alexander knew better.
Because Victor’s final words kept repeating in his mind.
Someone beside you.
Someone you trusted.
Someone who had been there from the beginning.
Michael reviewed every document.
Thomas checked every security record.
But nothing appeared.
No evidence.
No suspicious activity.
Nothing.
Until Hannah noticed something.
“Wait.”
Everyone turned.
She looked at the security reports.
“Why is this timestamp wrong?”
Michael walked closer.
“What do you mean?”
“These files were accessed before Victor entered the system.”
Silence.
Alexander looked at her.
“Someone helped him.”
Hannah nodded.
“Someone who already had access.”
Thomas immediately checked the employee database.
Then he froze.
“What?”
Alexander asked.
Thomas slowly turned the screen.
“I found something.”
A name appeared.
Everyone stared.
Because it was impossible.
The person connected to Victor’s operations was…
Michael Grant.
Alexander’s longtime attorney.
His closest advisor.
The man who had protected the Carver family for fifteen years.
Nobody spoke.
Michael looked shocked.
“That’s impossible.”
Alexander stared at him.
“Explain.”
Michael looked hurt.
“You think I did this?”
Nobody answered.
Because the evidence was there.
Then Hannah noticed something.
“Alexander.”
He looked at her.
“Look at the documents.”
She pointed.
“These signatures.”
Michael examined them.
His expression changed.
“These were copied.”
Everyone looked confused.
Hannah continued.
“The person who created this wanted us to think Michael betrayed us.”
Alexander narrowed his eyes.
“So someone framed him.”
Michael nodded slowly.
“But who?”
A phone rang.
Everyone turned.
It was Alexander’s phone.
Unknown number.
He answered.
A distorted voice spoke.
“You’re looking in the wrong direction.”
Alexander’s expression changed.
“Who is this?”
The voice laughed.
“The person who has been cleaning up everyone’s mistakes.”
Hannah grabbed his arm.
“Put it on speaker.”
The voice continued.
“You found Victor.”
A pause.
“You found Richard.”
Another pause.
“But you still haven’t found the person who started everything.”
Alexander’s jaw tightened.
“Show yourself.”
The voice became colder.
“You already know me.”
The call ended.
Everyone remained silent.
Then a message appeared on Alexander’s phone.
A photograph.
A recent photograph.
Taken inside the Carver Estate.
The person in the picture was standing beside Hannah.
Smiling.
Pretending to care.
Hannah covered her mouth.
Because she recognized the face.
“No…”
Alexander looked at her.
“Who?”
Her voice trembled.
“It’s someone I trusted.”
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The photograph revealed the final enemy.
And nobody was prepared.
