Chapter 17 - Margaret’s Last Choice
The security screens turned on.
Margaret appeared.
She was inside the old Kingsley foundation building.
The same place where Bluebird was created.
“Mara.”
I stepped toward the screen.
“Why?”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I never wanted this.”
“Then why did you do it?”
She looked down.
“Because my son was dying.”
The room became quiet.
“My son needed treatment.”
She wiped her tears.
“Edward promised he could save him.”
My anger softened.
Not disappeared.
But softened.
Because I understood desperation.
“You betrayed my family for him?”
“I thought I could control the damage.”
She laughed sadly.
“I was wrong.”
My father stepped forward.
“You helped Edward access Bluebird.”
“Yes.”
His face fell.
“Why?”
“Because I thought Bluebird could save my son.”
A pause.
“But Edward never intended to help me.”
I stared.
“What did he want?”
Margaret looked at me.
“Ellie.”
Silence.
“He knew the Bluebird clause.”
My mother’s warning.
The final condition.
Margaret continued:
“He believed if Ellie disappeared, the inheritance would transfer.”
Daniel looked shocked.
“He planned everything.”
“Yes.”
Then Margaret said something unexpected.
“But I discovered something.”
“What?”
She looked directly at me.
“Edward never wanted the empire.”
My expression changed.
“Then what?”
She whispered:
“He wanted the information hidden inside Bluebird.”
My father went pale.
“What information?”
Margaret looked terrified.
“The names.”
“What names?”
“The names of every person who helped build the criminal network.”
The room went silent.
Edward wasn’t after money.
He was after protection.
He wanted the evidence destroyed.
Then Margaret looked at me.
“Mara.”
“What?”
“You need to leave.”
My heart tightened.
“Why?”
Her voice broke.
“Because he’s already there.”
Everyone turned.
The security doors opened.
Edward Whitmore walked inside.
Clapping slowly.
“Beautiful speech, Margaret.”
Everyone froze.
Edward smiled.
“You almost made me feel guilty.”
My security team raised weapons.
Edward laughed.
“Do you really think I came alone?”
The lights flickered.
More people entered.
Armed.
Surrounding us.
Edward looked at Ellie.
“The Bluebird ends tonight.”
I stepped in front of my daughter.
“No.”
He smiled.
“That’s exactly why you were chosen.”
May you like
Then he pointed at me.
“Because you would always choose her.”
