Chapter 15 - The Poisoned Chalice
Julian reached into his tuxedo jacket and pulled out his encrypted phone. The screen was flashing with three priority notifications from the Connecticut State Department of Corrections.
I watched Julian’s face go pale—a sight that terrified me more than any verbal threat Alistair could utter.
"What is it?" I demanded, grabbing his forearm.
"Matthias," Julian whispered, reading the dispatch. "He suffered an acute toxic seizure during evening recreation at Otisville thirty minutes ago. He’s currently being transported by air ambulance to Westchester Medical Center under critical life support."
A cold, mocking chuckle came from Alistair’s throat. "Such a delicate constitution my nephew had. A shame. If Matthias dies tonight, Elena, the blind trust he created for your precious clinic is automatically invalidated under Connecticut probate law—because the assets will be contested as proceeds of unadjudicated family fraud. And without Matthias to testify in the federal appeal on Monday..."
"You poisoned him," I hissed, stepping so close to Alistair I could smell the clove cologne and tobacco clinging to his silk lapels. "You poisoned your own nephew to stop his testimony."
"Accusations without proof are mere slander, my dear girl," Alistair whispered, leaning down so his words struck only my ear. "Matthias was a weak link. He disgraced the family name by groveling at your feet. Now, you have a choice. Surrender guardianship of Maya to my foundation, and I will ensure your daughter receives an allowance of fifty million dollars when she comes of age. Refuse, and within seventy-two hours, the courts will strip you of every dime, your clinic will be shuttered, and you will spend the next ten years fighting me in probate while living in poverty."
"You truly don't understand, do you?" I said, looking straight into his cold, dead eyes.
"Understand what?"
"Matthias thought money and power could control everything. Victoria thought blood and fear could control everything," I said, my voice steady, sharp as a diamond scalpel. "And they are both rotting—one in a grave, the other in an ICU. You came back forty years too late, Alistair. The world doesn't belong to monsters like you anymore."
Turning to Julian, I gripped his hand tightly. "We’re leaving. We're going to Westchester."
"You won't make it in time, Elena!" Alistair called out after us as we turned our backs on him, ignoring the stunned stares of the high-society crowd. "The storm is rolling in! Some roads have no return!"
May you like
As we rushed out into the damp ocean air, a jagged bolt of lightning fractured the dark Rhode Island sky. The rain began to fall in heavy, violent sheets.
***
