Chapter 16 - THE FALL OF VICTOR VALE
Victor stared at his sister.
For the first time, true fear appeared in his eyes.
Daniel’s agents surrounded him.
He slowly raised his hands.
Then he smiled.
“You believe this ends with me?”
Rose placed the ledgers inside Daniel’s evidence case.
“It begins with you.”
Victor was taken from the mine in restraints.
Dr. Warren surrendered after emerging through a service tunnel.
Captain Brand was found alive but critically wounded.
Marcus remained under guard at the hospital.
Celeste was still recovering from her gunshot wound.
The conspiracy had finally begun to collapse.
Lily ran into Adrian’s arms outside the mine.
He held her so tightly that she complained she could not breathe.
He released her immediately.
She smiled weakly.
“This kind of not breathing is better.”
Nora emerged from the tunnel covered in dust.
Lily ran to her next.
Adrian watched his daughter embrace the wounded maid.
Nora had entered his home under a false purpose.
She had searched private rooms and hidden evidence from him.
Yet she had also risked her life repeatedly to protect Lily.
Rose approached Nora.
“Your mother would be proud.”
Nora looked toward the mountain.
“My mother died because of this.”
“She died because she refused to let evil become normal.”
Rose gave her the photograph of the White Rose Pact.
“You finished what she began.”
Federal investigators seized the Vale Foundation offices that morning.
Accounts were frozen.
Hospitals linked to the fraudulent network were searched.
Several executives were arrested.
The story dominated every major news station.
Adrian made a public statement.
He accepted responsibility for failing to detect the corruption committed under his name.
He pledged his personal fortune to repay every stolen charity fund.
Reporters asked about Celeste.
He refused to call her his fiancée.
Reporters asked about Rose.
He confirmed that his mother was alive.
Reporters asked about Nora.
Adrian looked directly toward the camera.
“She saved my daughter.”
Later that night, Lily slept safely at the farmhouse.
Adrian found Nora packing her clothes.
“You are leaving.”
“My reason for entering your house is finished.”
“Lily needs you.”
Nora closed the suitcase.
“She needs a father who believes her before she has to nearly die.”
Adrian accepted the accusation.
Then he placed a key on the table.
May you like
It was the key to the Vale estate.
“You will never need permission to protect her again.”
