Chapter 3
Victoria’s shoulders slumped, the performance of the hysterical victim melting away into a chilling indifference. She crossed her arms over her shiny silver dress, her fingernails digging deep into the expensive fabric. The sprawling modern living room felt less like a home and more like a high-security interrogation cell. Jonathan stood between her and the glass staircase, blocking any possible exit, while Maya clutched the smartphone like a shield.
"Fine. You saw it," Victoria spat out, her voice entirely devoid of remorse. "Are you happy now, Jonathan? Do you want a medal for your brilliant investigative skills?"
Jonathan’s hands trembled slightly at his sides, the black turtleneck stretching as he clenched his fists once more.
"Why, Victoria? That is your own flesh and blood in that stroller. What kind of monster tries to harm an innocent baby?!"
"An innocent baby who was about to inherit everything!" Victoria snapped back, her voice rising in a sharp, defensive crescendo. "Your father's will was amended last week, Jonathan. The bulk of the trust fund goes directly to the youngest direct heir—this baby. Not to you, not to Maya, and certainly not to support my lifestyle when you inevitably decide to trade me in for a younger model."
Elena gasped softly, pulling the infant even closer to her chest. The sheer coldness of Victoria's calculation hung heavy in the air.
Maya stared at her stepmother with a mixture of horror and disgust. "You tried to kill my sibling just for money? You’re sick."
"Shut up, you ungrateful brat," Victoria hissed, lunging forward with a sudden, vicious speed, but Jonathan intercepted her instantly, grabbing her by the wrist with a grip like iron.
"It’s over, Victoria," Jonathan said, his voice terrifyingly quiet. "The cameras throughout the house record audio as well. Every word of this confession is currently uploading directly to my legal team’s secure server."
Victoria froze, her eyes widening as she realized the trap was completely sealed. She looked at Jonathan, seeing a man she had manipulated for years, now entirely transformed by betrayal.
"You can't do this to me," Victoria whispered, her voice cracking for real this time. "My family name, our social standing—it will be ruined."
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"You ruined it yourself," Jonathan replied, pulling out his own phone to dial emergency services.
Just as the dial tone began to hum through the high-end speaker system, a sharp, urgent knock echoed loudly from the front security gate, followed by the flashing red lights of police cruisers painting the glass walls in crimson.
