Chapter 10 - THE ATTACK ON THE KANE ESTATE
The sound of the alarm shook the entire mansion.
Red lights flashed across the walls.
Security doors locked automatically.
The peaceful silence of the Kane estate disappeared in seconds.
The mansion that once looked like a fortress…
Had become a battlefield.
Willa stood beside Everett’s bed.
Her heart was beating faster.
Not because she was afraid.
Because she knew exactly what this meant.
Someone was desperate.
And desperate people made mistakes.
Marcus Reed rushed into the room.
His hand rested near the weapon hidden beneath his jacket.
“Three men entered through the west gate.”
Everett looked at him.
“Who?”
Marcus shook his head.
“They aren’t from outside.”
A pause.
“They knew the security codes.”
Silence.
Willa looked at Everett.
“Someone inside helped them.”
Everett nodded.
“That’s what I was afraid of.”
The medical room suddenly felt too small.
Too many secrets.
Too many enemies.
Everett tried to stand.
Pain immediately crossed his face.
Willa pushed him back down.
“No.”
“I need to move.”
“You can barely breathe.”
“I have to protect you.”
The words surprised both of them.
Willa looked at him.
“Protect me?”
Everett looked away.
For years, people feared Everett Kane.
They saw him as a dangerous man.
A man who controlled others.
A man who never showed weakness.
But right now…
He was lying helpless in a hospital bed.
And the first thing he cared about was her.
“You saved my life.”
His voice was quiet.
“Now I protect yours.”
Willa didn’t answer.
Because for the first time…
She saw the man behind the rumors.
A gunshot echoed through the mansion.
Everyone froze.
Another shot followed.
Closer.
Marcus immediately moved toward the door.
“Stay here.”
Willa grabbed his arm.
“Whoever is coming knows this room.”
Marcus looked at her.
“What are you saying?”
“They aren’t looking for Everett.”
She looked at the documents on the table.
“They’re looking for evidence.”
Everett’s expression changed.
“The files.”
Willa nodded.
“They know I found them.”
Suddenly…
The lights returned.
The alarm stopped.
The silence was worse.
Because everyone knew something had happened.
Marcus checked his phone.
His face changed.
“What?”
Everett asked.
Marcus looked at him.
“The security system was manually disabled.”
“By who?”
Marcus swallowed.
Then answered:
“Eleanor Kane.”
Willa felt cold.
Everett closed his eyes.
“No.”
Marcus showed him the screen.
“The override came from her personal access code.”
The room became silent.
The woman who claimed she wanted to protect him…
Had opened the door for the enemy.
Minutes later…
Eleanor entered the room.
She looked exhausted.
Her perfect appearance was gone.
For the first time, she looked like an old woman.
Not the queen of the Kane empire.
Everett stared at her.
“Why?”
Eleanor stopped.
“Because they threatened you.”
Willa stepped forward.
“They?”
Eleanor looked at her.
“You have no idea what Sterling is capable of.”
Everett’s voice hardened.
“Then tell me.”
Silence.
“Tell me everything.”
Eleanor looked at her son.
And finally…
She broke.
“Sterling was never supposed to inherit anything.”
Her voice trembled.
“Your grandfather built this empire for you.”
Everett listened.
“Sterling spent his whole life believing he deserved your place.”
“He hated you.”
“But I never thought he would go this far.”
Willa looked at her.
“Then why help him?”
Eleanor lowered her eyes.
“Because he had proof.”
“Proof of what?”
Eleanor looked at Everett.
“Proof that your father did something terrible.”
The room froze.
Everett’s face changed.
“My father?”
Eleanor nodded.
“The Kane empire was not built the way you believed.”
Before anyone could continue…
The window shattered.
Everyone dropped.
A bullet hit the wall inches from Everett’s head.
Marcus pulled his weapon.
“Down!”
Willa immediately covered Everett.
The same woman who had nothing months ago…
Was now protecting the most feared man in Chicago.
Another shot.
Then silence.
Marcus checked outside.
“No shooter.”
Willa looked confused.
“Then why stop?”
Marcus looked at the bullet hole.
Because attached to the bullet…
Was a small piece of paper.
Everett picked it up.
His hands shook.
May you like
Only four words were written.
ASK YOUR FATHER.
