Chapter 18:The Truth Behind The Gun
505 Words
Victor Hale tightened his grip on the pistol.
The room was silent.
Edward stood protectively in front of Isabella.
"What do you want?" Edward asked coldly.
Victor smiled.
"I've waited twenty-three years for this moment."
He looked directly at Isabella.
"You deserve to know the truth."
Isabella's heart pounded.
"My mother's death..."
"...wasn't an accident."
Victor nodded.
"No."
"But I wasn't the one who killed her."
He slowly lowered the gun.
"The order came from someone far above me."
Edward frowned.
"The Black Serpent leader?"
Victor laughed.
"No."
"The Black Serpent Society doesn't have one leader."
"It has..."
"...a council."
Edward's eyes widened.
"What?"
"There are five members."
"They've controlled politicians, judges, billionaires, and police for decades."
"They decide who lives..."
"...and who dies."
Victor took a deep breath.
"Your mother discovered their identities."
"So they ordered her death."
Isabella felt tears gather in her eyes.
"And my father?"
"He refused to hand over the evidence."
"So they killed him too."
Edward slammed his fist onto the desk.
"You helped them!"
Victor lowered his head.
"I did."
"I was young."
"They threatened my family."
"I believed I had no choice."
He looked at Isabella.
"But I've regretted it every day."
Isabella's voice trembled.
"Why tell me now?"
Victor reached into his jacket and placed a small black notebook on the desk.
"This is why."
Edward opened it.
Inside were names...
Bank accounts...
Secret meetings...
Every page exposed the Black Serpent Society.
Edward looked up in disbelief.
"You've been collecting evidence."
Victor nodded.
"For twenty-three years."
"I knew one day..."
"...the Lancaster heiress would return."
Before anyone could speak—
Bang!
A bullet shattered the office window.
Victor's eyes widened.
"They found me."
Another bullet flew into the room.
Victor pushed Isabella to the floor.
The bullet struck Victor in the back.
He cried out in pain.
"Mr. Hale!" Isabella shouted.
Bodyguards rushed into the study.
"Sniper!"
The guards returned fire toward the nearby rooftop.
Victor coughed, blood staining his shirt.
He grabbed Isabella's hand.
"Listen carefully..."
"The council..."
"...is meeting..."
"...tomorrow night..."
"...at Blackwood Manor."
Edward leaned closer.
"Who are the five members?"
Victor tried to speak.
"The first..."
"...is..."
Before he could finish—
A third bullet pierced the room.
It struck Victor in the chest.
His body went still.
The sniper had silenced him.
The guards rushed to the window, but the rooftop was empty.
The assassin had escaped.
Edward slowly closed Victor's eyes.
"He died trying to make things right."
Isabella picked up the black notebook.
This time...
She wouldn't let the truth disappear.
She looked at Edward.
"We're going to Blackwood Manor."
Edward nodded.
"Not for revenge."
"For justice."
Far away, inside a luxurious mansion, five figures sat around a large round table.
Their faces were hidden in the shadows.
One empty chair remained.
The oldest member spoke calmly.
"Victor Hale is dead."
Another replied,
"And the Lancaster girl?"
A third smiled.
"She'll come to us."
The oldest member folded his hands.
"Good."
"Because tomorrow..."
"We end the Lancaster bloodline forever."
- Writer
