Chapter 14
The audio recording looped back to the beginning, playing the horrific sounds of the bulkhead sealing over and over again in the empty warehouse.
Victoria stared at the waveform on the screen, feeling the last vestiges of her family’s illustrious reputation completely disintegrate into nothingness.
"You didn't just come to my boutique to ruin a wedding, Martha," Victoria said, her voice shaking as she looked up at the old woman.
"You came to make sure the Sterling name died forever."
Martha walked around the table, her footsteps echoing softly in the vast, damp space.
She placed a scarred, warm hand on Victoria’s shoulder.
"Names do not matter, Victoria," Martha said gently.
"Truth does.
Your father built a dynasty on a lie, but you have the power to tear it down and build something honest in its place."
Captain Miller cleared his throat, looking toward the open warehouse doors where headlights were sweeping across the gravel driveway.
"We have company," Miller warned, his hand dropping closer to his coat pocket.
"Vance Corp security isn't waiting for court orders anymore.
They tracked my signal."
Outside, the heavy roar of multiple vehicle engines cut through the rain.
The glare of high-beam headlights flooded the interior of the warehouse, silhouetting several armed figures stepping out into the drizzle.
Victoria looked down at the ruggedized laptop and the orange black-box recorder.
"Take the briefcase," Captain Miller urged, shoving the metal case toward her.
"There's a service tunnel at the back of the warehouse that leads straight to the harbor launch.
Martha knows the way."
Victoria grabbed the briefcase, her expression hardening into a resolute, unyielding focus.
May you like
She looked at Martha, who gave a sharp, reassuring nod.
"Let's finish this," Victoria said.
