Chapter 6: The Face of Vengeance
Julian lowered his weapon slowly, his heart hammering against his ribs. "Mother?"
Eleanor Vance looked at her son, a bittersweet expression flickering across her gaunt face. "I gave birth to you in a gilded prison, Julian. And Arthur took you from my arms before you were old enough to remember my touch."
Rachel stepped between Eleanor and Claire, her posture tense. "If you are Eleanor... why poison Emma? She is an innocent child! Your own granddaughter!"
Eleanor’s eyes widened with genuine shock. "Poison the child? What madness are you speaking of?"
"The unicorn cup," Julian demanded, his voice hardening again. "Emma nearly died an hour ago from a cyanide derivative in the punch."
Eleanor took a step back, shaking her head vigorously. "No... no! I came for the ledger, to expose Arthur's fraud to the federal prosecutors. I never touched the drinks! I instructed my associate to cut the main breaker so I could slip inside without violence."
Julian’s mind raced. If Eleanor didn't poison the cup, then there was a third player in the house—someone who wanted Emma dead, Arthur’s secret buried, and Eleanor framed for the crime.
"Who was your associate, Mother?" Julian asked urgently.
May you like
Before Eleanor could reply, the sharp click of a revolver hammer echoed from the shadows behind the fireplace.
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