Chapter 7 - A PATTERN
Victor did not sleep that night.
Ethan did, curled against Lily in the guest nursery because Victor refused to let his son spend another minute in the room Serena had controlled.
Police took the flash drive.
Claire contacted a private investigator.
Daniel began rebuilding Serena’s last ten years from travel records, employment history, former addresses, lawsuits, and social connections.
By dawn, a pattern had emerged.
Serena did not simply date wealthy men.
She entered families.
Men with money. Children under ten. Complicated grief. Recently divorced. Recently widowed. Emotionally exhausted.
She became useful first.
Then necessary.
Then powerful.
Victor stared at the timeline taped across the conference wall.
“There were three before me.”
Daniel nodded.
“Paul Danner. Henry Caldwell. Marcus Vane.”
“What happened to the children?”
“Danner’s daughter lives with her aunt. Caldwell’s son was sent to boarding school after allegations that he was violent. Vane’s twins haven’t spoken publicly.”
Lily entered carrying coffee.
Victor looked at her. “You should rest.”
“So should you.”
Neither did.
Daniel clicked open another file.
“Caldwell died of a stroke eight months after Serena moved in.”
Victor looked sharply at him.
“And Vane?”
“Survived a boating accident. Broke off the relationship two days later.”
Lily whispered, “This is not about anger.”
Victor knew exactly what she meant.
Serena’s cruelty toward Ethan was real.
But cruelty was not the whole machine.
It was a tool.
Then Victor’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
A woman spoke quickly.
“Mr. Blackwood? My name is Emily Danner. I’m Paul’s daughter.”
Victor looked at the wall.
“I know who Serena is,” Emily said.
May you like
Then her voice dropped.
“And if she knows you’re investigating her, your son is still in danger.”
