Chapter 21:The Chairman Mask
471 Words
The mansion was plunged into darkness.
Only the moonlight streamed through the windows.
The mysterious man stepped into the study, his polished shoes clicking against the marble floor.
His silver serpent ring glinted on his finger.
Edward's bodyguards immediately raised their guns.
"Don't move!"
The man chuckled.
"If you shoot..."
"...you'll never learn the truth."
Edward narrowed his eyes.
"Who are you?"
The man slowly removed his black gloves.
Then, with calm confidence, he stepped into the light.
Isabella gasped.
"You..."
Standing before her...
Was Nathan Brooks.
Edward's longtime financial adviser.
A man who had attended countless Lancaster family dinners.
A man Isabella had trusted.
Nathan smiled.
"Good evening, Miss Lancaster."
Isabella shook her head.
"No..."
"It can't be."
"You've always helped Grandpa."
Nathan laughed.
"Exactly."
"And that's why no one ever suspected me."
Edward's voice trembled with anger.
"For twenty years..."
"You betrayed this family?"
Nathan nodded.
"I didn't betray you."
"I used you."
He slowly walked toward the fireplace.
"When Amelia discovered our organization..."
"I warned the council."
"When Daniel refused to hand over the evidence..."
"I signed his death warrant."
Isabella felt tears burning in her eyes.
"You..."
"You killed my parents?"
Nathan looked at her without emotion.
"I gave the order."
"But I didn't pull the trigger."
"You monster!" Isabella shouted.
She rushed toward him.
Damien caught her arm.
"No, Isabella."
"That's what he wants."
Nathan smiled.
"Very good, Mr. Knight."
"You've become much smarter."
Edward raised his cane.
"You'll never leave this mansion alive."
Nathan laughed.
"Really?"
He snapped his fingers.
Suddenly...
Several Lancaster guards turned their guns...
Toward Edward.
Everyone froze.
Damien stared in disbelief.
"They're working for him?"
Nathan nodded.
"I've been inside this family for decades."
"Did you really think I came alone?"
One of the guards stepped forward.
"Chairman."
"The escape route is clear."
Nathan smiled.
"Excellent."
He looked at Isabella one last time.
"You remind me of your mother."
"Strong..."
"Stubborn..."
"And just as dangerous."
He placed a small black envelope on the table.
"This is my gift."
"Open it after I'm gone."
Before anyone could stop him...
The traitorous guards released smoke grenades.
Boom!
The room filled with thick smoke.
Gunshots echoed.
When the smoke finally cleared...
Nathan and the traitors were gone.
Only the black envelope remained.
Isabella picked it up with shaking hands.
Inside...
Was an invitation.
THE BLACK SERPENT COUNCIL
You are invited.
Location: Black Serpent Island.
Date: Three nights from now.
Time: Midnight.
At the bottom was a handwritten message.
"Come alone if you want the whole truth about your parents."
Damien looked at Isabella.
"We're not walking into another trap."
Isabella slowly folded the invitation.
Her eyes were no longer filled with fear.
Only determination.
"They've been hunting me for twenty-three years."
She looked out into the darkness.
"Now..."
"It's my turn to hunt them."
- Writer
