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CHAPTER 8: THE WOMAN IN WHITE

Victoria arrived at the restaurant’s private dining room that afternoon.

Adrian had chosen the location carefully.

It belonged to a company no one knew he controlled.

Hidden cameras covered every wall.

Victoria wore a white suit and diamond earrings. She looked calm, elegant and deeply worried.

When Adrian entered using his wheelchair, relief crossed her face.

“You’re alive.”

“You sound surprised.”

She leaned down to kiss him.

Adrian turned his head.

“Where were you last night?”

“At home.”

“Who told you Blackridge was burning?”

“The news.”

“It wasn’t on the news.”

Victoria’s expression did not change.

“One of your guards called me.”

“Which guard?”

“I don’t remember.”

Adrian placed the old photograph on the table.

Victoria’s fingers tightened around her handbag.

“Have you seen this before?”

“No.”

“Look carefully.”

“I said no.”

Adrian watched the small muscles in her face.

After twelve years in a wheelchair, people often forgot how closely he observed them.

“Eli says you visited a medical facility.”

“Eli?”

“The boy from the restaurant.”

Victoria laughed softly.

“A homeless child performs a trick, and now you believe every word he says?”

“He made my legs move.”

Her eyes dropped toward the wheelchair.

For one second, fear replaced disbelief.

“You should see Dr. Hale.”

“Hale tried to poison me.”

Victoria stood abruptly.

“That’s ridiculous.”

Adrian placed another object on the table.

The transmitter found in Hale’s coat.

Victoria recognized it.

She hid the reaction too late.

“What does it control?” Adrian asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Is it connected to the implant in my spine?”

Her face went pale.

Adrian leaned forward.

“You knew.”

Victoria grabbed her handbag.

Two security guards blocked the door.

Adrian’s voice became quieter.

“That makes two of my doctors, my fiancĂ©e and an international foundation connected to my paralysis.”

“You don’t understand what you’re involved in.”

“Then explain it.”

Victoria looked toward the cameras.

“They can hear us.”

“Who?”

She bent close to Adrian.

Her lips barely moved.

“The man in the photograph.”

Adrian glanced down.

The picture showed only himself, Elena and the newborn.

May you like

Victoria whispered, “The baby didn’t remain a baby.”

Then every camera in the room went dark.

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