Chapter 4: Victoria’s Secret
Victoria denied it immediately.
“She is lying.”
Margaret removed a small ledger from her handbag.
Each page contained dates, amounts, and transfers from Victoria’s private account to a clinic called North Haven.
Celeste recognized the name.
It was a neurological rehabilitation center outside the city.
Victoria’s composure broke.
“You do not understand.”
“Then explain,” Celeste said.
Victoria looked at Arthur.
He gave her no help.
So she finally spoke.
Eight years earlier, she had discovered Eleanor in a neglected psychiatric facility. Eleanor had been heavily sedated and barely able to speak.
Victoria transferred her to North Haven.
“I saved her,” Victoria insisted.
“You hid her,” Celeste replied.
“I paid for everything.”
“And prevented her from contacting us.”
Victoria’s eyes filled with anger.
“Do you think I had a choice? Father said he would destroy all of us if she returned.”
Arthur remained silent.
That silence confirmed everything.
Celeste wanted to hate Victoria completely.
But the truth was more complicated.
Victoria had protected Eleanor’s body while imprisoning her voice.
Admiral Reed asked the question no one else had considered.
“Why did Eleanor become dangerous again now?”
Victoria looked away.
Celeste grabbed her wrist.
“What happened?”
Victoria whispered, “She remembered where Father kept the original shipping records.”
Arthur lunged toward her.
Agent Hale blocked him.
Victoria continued.
“The records prove the company ordered unsafe modifications on twelve vessels. Not one. Twelve.”
Celeste’s stomach tightened.
Thousands of sailors had served aboard those ships.
“If those vessels are still operating—”
“They are,” Victoria said.
Celeste immediately turned to Admiral Reed.
“We need every hull identified and grounded.”
Reed reached for his phone.
Arthur shouted, “You will destroy the company!”
Celeste faced him.
“If the company survives by risking innocent lives, it deserves to be destroyed.”
Margaret gave Celeste North Haven’s address.
But before they could leave, Hale received a call.
His face changed.
May you like
North Haven was on fire.
And Eleanor Ashford was missing.
