Chapter 6 - THE CONFESSION ON TAPE
The boardroom fell dead silent. Victor’s gun wavered, his wild eyes darting from Ethan to Nora and the police officers standing behind her. “What is the meaning of this?” Victor demanded, trying to project authority. “Officers, this woman is a fired employee! Arrest her for trespassing!” The officers didn't move. Nora stepped forward, her face pale but determined. “I told them everything, Victor,” Nora said. She lifted her bound hands and pressed play on the digital recorder. Victor’s own voice echoed through the massive room, crisp and undeniable. “The digitalis will simulate a massive heart attack. It’s untraceable if done correctly. Once Ethan is dead, I will present Amelia’s signed transfer documents to the board. If the brat speaks up, you know what to do with her.” A collective gasp rippled through the board of directors. The older members murmured in horror. “That’s a deepfake!” Victor shouted, his hand shaking violently. “It’s AI! He fabricated it to steal my company!” “It’s not your company, Victor,” Ethan said, stepping in front of Amelia and Lily. “It never was. And that recording was made last night in my own kitchen. The security cameras captured you handing Nora the vial.” Victor looked around the room. The faces of the billionaires and executives who had been in his pocket just minutes ago were now filled with disgust and fear. They were sharks, and they smelled blood in the water. Victor was a sinking ship, and none of them were going to go down with him. “The documents are legally binding!” Victor screamed, pointing the gun at the board chairman. “I am the head of the trust! You all vote for me right now, or I swear to God—” “The documents are void,” a soft voice interrupted. Amelia stepped out from behind Ethan. She stood tall, her posture regal despite the simple black dress and the trauma etched into her face. She walked toward the table, never taking her eyes off Victor. “What did you say to me, you crazy bitch?” Victor snarled. “I said they are void,” Amelia repeated calmly. She picked up the transfer document Victor had thrown on the table. She held it up for the board members to see. “A week before the hospital fire,” Amelia said, her voice growing stronger with every word, “Ethan and I went to our private attorneys. We knew you were embezzling from the overseas accounts, Victor. We just needed time to prove it.” Victor’s face drained of color. “So,” Amelia continued, “we amended the bylaws of the family trust. Any transfer of majority shares requires the signature of the CEO, his spouse…” She looked down at Lily with a soft, beautiful smile. “…and the biometric fingerprint of the living heir.” Victor stared at her, horrified. “You didn’t know, did you?” Ethan said, his voice cold as ice. “You thought Lily was just a loose end. You kept her alive to taunt me, to see if I would recognize my own blood. But by keeping her alive, you made it impossible for you to ever take the company.” Victor looked at the document in Amelia’s hand. It was useless. Worthless paper. He had spent seven years lying, torturing, and murdering, and it had all been for absolutely nothing. A guttural scream of pure, animalistic rage tore from Victor’s throat. He raised the gun, pointing it directly at Amelia’s head. “If I can’t have it,” Victor roared, “nobody will!” Time seemed to slow down. Ethan lunged forward, throwing his body in front of his wife. A gunshot deafened the room. Glass shattered behind them. But Ethan didn’t feel any pain. He opened his eyes. Victor dropped the gun. He looked down at his own chest. A dark red stain was rapidly spreading across his pristine white dress shirt. Behind Victor stood Marcus, Ethan’s head of security, his service weapon raised, smoke curling from the barrel. He had come up the service elevator. Victor swayed on his feet. He looked at Ethan, a bitter, twisted smile forming on his lips. “You… you always were… the lucky one,” Victor whispered. His knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the expensive Persian rug. The board members erupted into screams, scrambling for the exits. The police officers rushed forward, kicking Victor’s weapon away and checking his pulse. Ethan didn’t care about Victor. He turned around. Amelia was on her knees, clutching Lily tightly to her chest. They were both shaking, but they were unhurt. Ethan dropped to the floor beside them. He wrapped his arms around his wife and his daughter, pulling them into a fierce, unbreakable embrace. “It’s over,” Ethan whispered into Amelia’s hair, tears finally spilling down his face. “I promise you, my love. It’s finally over.”
