Chapter 11 - THE NIGHT ANNA DIED
Victor finally asked for a deal.
He would confess to sabotaging Thomas's boat and arranging the brake work on Anna's car.
In return, prosecutors would consider cooperation at sentencing.
Christopher listened from another room.
Victor admitted hiring a mechanic to weaken Anna's brake line.
"Who ordered it?" Brooks asked.
"Eleanor."
Then Victor added, "Not exactly."
Stop Anna from reaching the board tomorrow.
Victor chose the method.
Again.
Instruction designed to preserve deniability.
Then Victor admitted Thomas's death.
He loosened the hatch.
He expected Thomas to turn back when the storm worsened.
Thomas did not.
Christopher heard the same sentence in different voices all week.
Not supposed to die.
Did not mean it.
Only meant to scare.
Intent kept shrinking after consequences arrived.
"Because she made Christopher untouchable."
"And the DNA?"
"Vale told me Emma's sample could prove my bloodline."
So Emma was both obstacle and evidence.
"Eleanor didn't know I planned the fake allergy."
He alone created the second contingency.
The pool plan had failed.
He wanted certainty.
Only clarity.
Then Rachel received a court ruling.
Victor's paternity claim was valid enough to recognize him as Thomas Pierce's biological son.
But his criminal conduct did not give him Emma's shares.
The judge froze all family voting rights and appointed an independent fiduciary.
No Christopher.
No Eleanor.
No Victor.
The merger died immediately.
Victor had fought to control the company.
Instead, he helped remove family control from everyone.
Then Emma came into the room with a drawing.
Three people standing beside the pool.
One figure crossed out.
"Who's that?" Christopher asked.
"Juliette."
"And Grandma?"
Emma pointed to a small figure far away.
"She watched."
"And you?"
Emma pointed to the pink figure in the middle.
"I'm getting out."
Then she showed him the back.
May you like
On it she had written one sentence.
MOMMY ANNA KNEW.
