Chapter 15 - The Unseen Mastermind
The floorboard creaked again right outside front door.
Slow, heavy, deliberate footsteps approached the entrance.
I stood up from the porch table fast.
My hand reached inside my jacket for sidearm.
My fingers gripped the cold steel handle tightly.
The electronic deadbolt lock chimed with soft beep.
The keycard reader flashed green on door frame.
Whoever was outside held a master digital keycard.
The heavy oak front door swung open slowly.
A tall woman stepped into the dimly lit.
She wore an immaculate dark tailored silk suit.
Her silver hair was styled neatly, eyes cold.
Her facial features matched Eleanor's photo exactly today.
It was Eleanor Bellacourt, standing right before me.
She did not pull a weapon or run away.
She looked at my raised firearm and smiled.
A chilling, terrifying smile of pure maternal pride.
"Lower the gun, Claire," Eleanor whispered softly.
Her voice sounded calm, commanding, and utterly fearless.
"You did exceptionally well defeating Victoria at vineyard."
"She was weak and careless with those accounts."
"I taught you to be strong, my niece."
I did not lower the barrel by one inch.
"You used your own family as pawns, Eleanor!"
Eleanor took a slow, deliberate step inside room.
"I built this global network for you, Claire."
"And tonight, the real work begins for us."
She reached into her inner suit pocket slowly.
I tightened my grip on the curved trigger.
She pulled out a heavy black leather file.
She set the file onto my hallway glass.
"Inside this folder is the real global blueprint."
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"Victoria was just a minor pawn on board."
The most shocking part is yet to come. Comment 'yes' so I can drop Part Two immediately!
