Chapter 9 - WHEN THE CHANDELIER FELL
“Down!” Maya screamed.
Guests dropped beneath tables.
The chandelier crashed onto the dance floor in an explosion of glass and metal.
Julian shielded Sophie with his body.
Arthur rolled behind the stage.
Smoke from damaged wiring filled the room.
Dr. Reed vanished from the balcony.
Eleanor twisted free and ran through the curtain.
Maya chased her into the costume corridor used for hotel productions.
Eleanor kicked off her heels and moved fast.
“You should have stayed a waitress,” she called over her shoulder.
“You should have stayed away from the poison.”
Eleanor entered a dressing room and locked the door.
Maya heard drawers opening.
When she forced the door, the room was empty.
A mirror had swung outward, revealing a private passage.
Maya followed it to Arthur’s executive office.
Eleanor stood at the desk, feeding documents into a portable shredder.
Maya lunged and pulled the plug.
Half a bank statement remained visible.
It showed a transfer to VALE FOUNDATION.
Maya stared.
“That foundation belongs to Clara’s family.”
Eleanor laughed.
“Clara’s family has been dead for years.”
“No. Gabriel traced a living heir.”
For the first time, Eleanor looked afraid.
“Who?”
The office door opened.
Ben stood there, one arm in a sling, supported by Captain Brooks.
He pointed at Maya.
“She is.”
Silence filled the room.
Maya looked from Ben to Arthur.
Arthur’s face confirmed it.
“You knew?” she whispered.
“I suspected,” he said. “Maya, Clara Vale was your aunt.”
Eleanor reached beneath the desk.
Captain Brooks shouted, “Hands where I can see them!”
May you like
Eleanor pressed a hidden button.
The office windows sealed, and gas began pouring from the ceiling vents.
