Chapter 6
a weight that cut through the air like steel.
The moment my father spoke, his voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a wei
In just two sentences, the noise in the room collapsed into dead silence.
Behind me, my best friend finally let out a slow breath and squeezed my hand, “viv, now that your father’s here, I’m not worried anymore. There’s nothing he can’t handle ”
She was right. The Kingsley family had run its empire in Kingsford for over a century, and my father’s reputation for ironclad deals was unmatched.
o gave it
It was worth its weight in gold.
In a world where promises meant nothing, a Kingsley promise–no matter who
Even the security guard at our gates would keep his word, years after it was given.
Every reporter in the room knew it. If not for that so- called corporate war years ago, my father would still be the one pulling the strings in Kingsford’s business world.
They all believed he’d been forced overseas. Only I knew the truth–it had been a calculated move, staged for the world, and most importantly, for Ethan Carrington
The night he “left,” my father called me into his study. We spoke until dawnL
“Viv,” he’d said, his eyes dark with worry, “you think you know the man lying next to you, but I’m not convinced. The Kingsley fortune isn’t something we gamble on. Let me test him–then we’ll see where he really stands.”
I’d thought he was just being overprotective, but I still agreed out of respect for him.
I never imagined Ethan would fail so spectacularly.
A reporter’s voice broke the tension “Mr. Kingsley, with your family’s reputation, of course we believe you. But there are many people watching today, you can’t rely on name alone–you need proof.”
My father’s smile never wavered. “Of course I have proof.”
He motioned to one of his men. Moments later, a video filled the big screen.
In the footage, Sabrina sat behind Ethan’s desk, her glare icy as she snapped at the people standing before her. “Can you do anything right? I told you–I want the most dangerous summer camp you can find! What is this garbage? Who dies at an amusement park? Who dies looking at animals? Baking cakes at home? Do you even have a brain?”
She shoved the proposals off the desk, papers scattering across the floor.
Finally, a young woman who’d been hiding at the back stepped forward, holding out a folder. “Ms. Lowe, this camp goes out to sea. It’s run by a young man with no real experience, so the safety measures probably aren’t great. What do you think?”
The ar
The anger in Sabrina’s eyes sharpened into something colder.
She snatched the folder, skimmed It, and her smile turned almost gleeful. “Good. This is the one. And remember- no matter what it takes, make sure Vivian signs her daughter up. If I don’t get good news by this time tomorrow, you won’t live to see another day in Kingsford.”
The video cut to the sidewalk outside Ethan’s building
My daughter and I were on our way to bring him lunch when we ran into that same young woman.
The moment she saw me, she rushed over and grabbed my arm. “Mrs. Carrington, you’re known for helping people. Please–I’ll lose my job if I can’t sign a few more Idds up today. My mom’s in the hospital for cancer treatment, and I can’t afford to be out of work.”
Thesitated, wary of strangers who came out of nowhere. I took my daughter’s hand, ready to walk away. But she stopped me.
She reached out, touching the woman’s arm, her eyes already brimming with tears, “Mom, let’s help her. I don’t want her to lose her job when her mom’s in the hospital”
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Against my better judgment, I agreed.
On the way to Ethan’s office, I glanced at the flyer. No license. Newly opened. Dangerous activities. Every red flag was there. I tossed it
in the trash.
her father, didn’t
My daughter, swept up in the excitement of going to see press the issue.
That evening, in the parking garage elevator, Sabrina caught her alone. “Sweetheart, do you know what kind of kids your dad loves most?”
My daughter shook her head.
A glint of malice flickered in Sabrina’s eyes as she leaned closer. “He told me today–he loves brave kids. And guess what? I saw your mom throw away a flyer for a camp that teaches kids to be brave. Don’t you want to go?”
She hesitated, then nodded.
That night, she begged me to let her go. I refused. Ethan snapped. “She wants to go, let her go! Stop killing the fun for her!”
That trip to the camp was the one that took her life.
Watching the footage now–seeing my daughter pushed step by step toward her own death–was like having my heart carved out. My father’s eyes were wet as he fought to keep his voice steady. He pointed at the frozen frame on the screen.
“Look at this. If this isn’t murder, then what is?”
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