Chapter 19:The Face Behind The Betrayal
510 Words
The mansion was silent.
Isabella sat alone in her room, Victor Hale's black notebook resting on her lap.
She couldn't stop thinking about his final words.
"The council..."
"Blackwood Manor..."
Taking a deep breath, she opened the notebook again.
A folded photograph slipped onto the floor.
She picked it up.
Her heart nearly stopped.
Five people wearing black masks stood around a large round table.
Behind them...
A young woman poured wine into crystal glasses.
Even though only part of her face was visible...
Isabella recognized her instantly.
"Victoria..."
Edward looked at the photograph.
His face hardened.
"So she wasn't working alone."
"She has been helping the Black Serpent Society all along."
Isabella clenched her fists.
"The fake photos..."
"The lies..."
"The wedding..."
"It was all planned."
Edward nodded.
"They wanted to destroy your reputation before claiming the Lancaster fortune."
Just then, the butler hurried into the room.
"Chairman!"
"Our investigators have found Miss Victoria Stone."
"Where is she?" Isabella asked.
"She checked into the Royal Crescent Hotel this afternoon."
Edward immediately stood.
"We're going."
Meanwhile...
Victoria paced nervously inside a luxury hotel suite.
Her phone rang.
She answered immediately.
"Hello?"
The mysterious leader's cold voice echoed through the speaker.
"Pack your bags."
"Why?"
"You've been exposed."
Victoria's face turned pale.
"What?"
"The Lancasters know you're connected to us."
She began shaking.
"What should I do?"
There was a long silence.
Then he replied,
"You know our rules."
Victoria's eyes filled with fear.
"No..."
"Please..."
"I've served you for years!"
The call ended.
She tried calling back.
No answer.
Suddenly...
Someone knocked on the hotel door.
She rushed over.
"Who's there?"
No reply.
She slowly opened the door.
The hallway was empty.
At her feet lay a small black box.
Inside...
Was a silver snake ring.
Victoria's face turned white.
"No..."
"They've marked me."
She knew exactly what it meant.
Anyone who received the silver snake ring had been sentenced to death.
Minutes later...
Isabella, Edward, Damien, and several bodyguards arrived at the hotel.
"Room 2308," the manager said.
"They're still inside."
The group hurried upstairs.
Damien kicked the door open.
Bang!
The room was empty.
The balcony doors swayed in the wind.
Victoria was gone.
But on the table...
She had left a handwritten letter.
Isabella picked it up.
It read:
If you're reading this...
I'm already running.
Everything I did... I did because they threatened my little brother.
I know where the council will meet.
Meet me tomorrow at midnight.
Old Blackwood Church.
Come alone.
I'll tell you everything.
Damien frowned.
"It's another trap."
Edward agreed.
"It could be."
Isabella folded the letter carefully.
"Or..."
"It could be our only chance."
Outside the hotel...
Hidden in a black van...
Raven watched through binoculars.
She smiled.
"The bait worked."
She spoke into her earpiece.
"She's going to the church."
The mysterious leader replied calmly,
"Good."
"This time..."
"Make sure neither Isabella..."
"...nor Victoria..."
"Leaves alive."
Raven loaded a fresh magazine into her pistol.
"I won't fail again."
She started the van.
The hunt had begun.
End of Chapter 19
- Writer
