Chapter 5 - NATHAN'S LAST OFFER
Nathan walked down the stairs alone.
His expensive coat was soaked from the rain.
His face looked strangely calm.
“Maren,” he called.
I stayed silent.
“You've always been stubborn.”
Caleb motioned for me to remain hidden.
Nathan stopped beside the steel door.
“You survived the river.”
His voice carried no surprise.
“I expected you to.”
My heart hammered.
“You knew?” I called.
Nathan smiled.
“I knew Caleb would save you.”
Caleb stepped forward.
“You knew about me.”
“Of course.”
Nathan's expression hardened.
“You thought I never noticed you walking at night?”
Caleb froze.
Nathan laughed quietly.
“You were careful. I'll give you that.”
Then he looked toward me.
“But you made one mistake.”
“What?”
“You trusted Serena.”
I stepped out.
Nathan's eyes met mine.
“You poisoned me.”
“I gave you medication.”
“You knew what it would do.”
“I knew you would eventually become weak enough to sign the shares.”
My stomach turned.
“The river was supposed to finish it.”
Nathan nodded.
“And it would have.”
“Why?”
His face changed.
“For money.”
“That simple?”
“No.”
He walked closer.
“Your family destroyed mine.”
I stared at him.
“What are you talking about?”
“My father spent years building that shipyard.”
“Your father stole it.”
“He believed it belonged to him.”
“He killed my parents.”
Nathan looked away.
For the first time, uncertainty appeared in his eyes.
“My father was manipulated.”
“By whom?”
Nathan didn't answer.
Caleb stepped closer.
“Your mother?”
Nathan's silence was enough.
I felt cold.
“Eleanor knew.”
Nathan looked at me.
“She arranged the original transfers.”
“Then why are you doing this?”
“Because she promised me the empire.”
“And Serena?”
“She wanted protection.”
“And me?”
Nathan's voice dropped.
“You were the obstacle.”
I reached into my coat.
The recording device in my pocket was still running.
Nathan didn't notice.
I asked softly.
“What about Emily?”
His face went completely still.
Caleb saw it.
Nathan whispered:
“You found her.”
“Yes.”
For the first time, Nathan looked afraid.
“You don't understand what that girl means.”
“She is my sister.”
Nathan shook his head.
“No.”
He stepped backward.
“She is the proof that your grandmother's entire inheritance structure was built on a lie.”
Then the basement lights came on.
Police officers filled the staircase.
Nathan turned.
I heard a familiar voice behind them.
Serena.
“I told them everything.”
Nathan stared at her in disbelief.
May you like
And then she pointed toward the evidence boxes.
“Every single thing.”
