I felt sick. My father’s creation. His legacy. Twisted into Darren’s stepping stone.
He tilted his head, as if trying to coax me into gratitude. "Your dad would be proud of me."
I whispered, "My father would never be proud of a thief."
Hours later, gowns and jewelry were spread across my bed when the shouting started. The heavy drag of footsteps followed.
Two guards shoved a man into the room. Michael, one of Darren's most trusted staff. His face was bruised, his shirt stained with blood.
"How could you, Michael?!" Darren roared. "I trusted you!"
Michael fell to his knees, gasping, but his eyes lifted to me. Wide. Pleading.
"I'm sorry," he choked, "but I was loyal to Mr. Blake's daughter."
The room froze.
Darren's head snapped toward me, his face black with rage. "Eliana?"
Michael nodded, frantic. "Yes! She paid me—she didn’t want Predict Pro launched!"
My lips parted, but no sound came.
ELIANA
"I don’t understand," I said, my voice trembling but clear. "Michael, I haven’t even seen you since I went on maternity leave months ago."
His battered face twitched. Guilt, nerves, fear-it was all there. "But... you threatened my family. You gave me money for my mother's treatment. That's why I did it."