Chapter 7 - PORTIA'S VERSION
Portia asked to speak to Cedric alone.
He refused.
“You hit Maisie. You lied about the fire. You tried to grab my mother’s letter. We’re done with private conversations.”
Mara stayed.
So did Alonzo.
Portia looked at her father through the glass doors.
“He told me the marriage had to happen this weekend.”
“Why?” Cedric asked.
“He said the Monday audit would freeze a merger.”
“You knew about the proxy transfer.”
“Yes.”
Cedric felt something inside him close.
Portia rushed on.
“I knew the Vales would gain voting power, but I thought it was temporary. My father said it was the only way to keep Blackwood from hostile investors.”
“You let me sign without telling me.”
“I was afraid you’d cancel.”
“You were right.”
She started crying.
Alonzo did not soften.
“What about the fire?”
Portia wiped her face.
“Martin texted me. He said Eleanor left documents that could destroy both families. He told me to meet him in the study.”
“And then?”
“He was burning papers when I got there.”
“Did you stop him?” Mara asked.
Portia looked down.
“No.”
“Did you help him?”
“I picked up one folder.”
Cedric’s jaw tightened.
“Where is it?”
Portia looked toward Graham.
“My father took it.”
Mara immediately ordered officers to search Graham.
They found no folder.
Then Maisie tugged Flora’s sleeve.
“I saw Grandpa Cane Man put papers in the flower box.”
Everyone turned.
“Where?” Alonzo asked.
Maisie pointed toward the wedding arch.
Inside the base of a white rose arrangement, security found a scorched black folder.
On the cover were two words:
PROJECT ORCHID.
Cedric opened it.
The first page contained a photograph of his mother entering a private clinic the night before she died.
May you like
The second page contained a photograph of Sofia Reyes.
Taken three days before her hit-and-run.
