Twenty-Two Minutes Before Sunset
Chapter 04 - Twenty-Two Minutes Before Sunset
Daniel led Elena through the servants’ passage while security delayed Charles’s guards.
The narrow staircase opened behind a painting near the third-floor balcony. Elena’s shoulder ached, and every step made her remember the marble rushing toward her. Daniel offered to take the trust and continue alone.
She shook her head.
“The authorization requires both guardians. Your father planned it that way.”
They reached Margaret’s office with eleven minutes remaining.
The foundation terminal accepted Henry’s gold key, then requested Daniel’s fingerprint and Elena’s voice confirmation.
Before Elena could speak, Margaret entered.
“You have no idea what you are protecting,” she said. “Your child will inherit debts, lawsuits, and a dying company.”
“No,” Elena replied. “Our child will inherit a family that finally tells the truth.”
Margaret’s calm expression broke. She admitted Northbridge had begun as a temporary plan to save the company after Henry refused to sell foundation land. But once the first transfer succeeded, Charles demanded more. Margaret kept cooperating because exposing him would expose her.
Daniel asked the question that mattered most.
“Did you push Elena?”
Margaret looked toward the balcony.
“I reached for the paper.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
“I thought if the document disappeared, everything could still be fixed.”
Elena understood then. Margaret might not have planned the fall, but she had created every condition that made it possible—and afterward, she had watched instead of helping.
Charles burst into the office and grabbed the trust.
He ran toward the balcony, intending to throw it into the fountain below. Daniel tackled him before he reached the railing. The document slid across the floor toward Elena.
The countdown showed thirty-eight seconds.
Elena placed the trust against the scanner.
“Guardian confirmation,” the terminal announced.
Daniel pressed his hand to the panel.
Elena leaned toward the microphone.
“Protect the Marlowe Foundation and suspend all Northbridge transfers.”
The countdown froze at four seconds.
TRANSFER DENIED.
Police sirens sounded beyond the gates. Before the network went down, Henry’s system had automatically sent the recordings and account files to state investigators.
Charles was arrested in the office.
Margaret stood silently as officers approached her.
She looked at Elena’s stomach, then at her son.
“I wanted to preserve this family.”
May you like
Daniel took Elena’s hand.
“You preserved the house,” he said. “You almost destroyed everyone inside it.”
