Chapter 421 Eric's True Purpose
Chapter 421 Eric's True Purpose
After Kathie brought Luna back from the brink, she learned the truth — Atlas was none other than Daniel from all those years ago.
Just hearing that name was enough for a dozen pieces of the puzzle to click into place.
Thirty years ago, Daniel had orchestrated a plot against Samuel. Working with Christopher, he had killed Samuel and his wife. The car crash had also claimed one of the three unborn children Samuel's wife was carrying; only two survived.
Daniel and Christopher had agreed — each would take one life. Daniel had tossed the infant Jonathan into a storm drain, but Christopher had smuggled the other child overseas to raise.
Jonathan, however, had been pulled from the drain by Augustus, who then entrusted him to William's care. The child Christopher took in was kept alive, but only to be abused.
In the years that followed, Daniel used Samuel's remaining assets to propel the Stewart Family into sudden prominence. But when his father handed the family over to Atlas instead of him, Daniel staged a car accident to kill Atlas and took his place.
Years later, Daniel met Walter, who hinted at wanting his wife gone. By chance, Daniel discovered that Walter's wife had been close friends — practically sisters — with Samuel's wife. Daniel could not be sure whether those two women had ever spoken of him. But for his own safety, if Walter wanted someone dead, he would make sure that target was the one person who could threaten him.
Daniel arranged for Walter to meet a few doctors who could be swayed by money. Later, he and Walter eliminated those same doctors — all but one, Cosima, who slipped away.
And now, at last, the circle closed. Kathie finally understood why Cosima had said her mother's killers were not only Walter but 'Atlas' as well.
Walter had been sentenced to death. Daniel had been taken out by Eric. Now Kathie had only one target left — Eric, the bastard who had nearly blown her husband to pieces.
"That impostor sent Eirlys to stay close to Theron to keep tabs on him," Kathie said. "But now Theron is the one watching Eirlys for us. That works in our favor."
She turned to Jonathan, waiting for his next move.
But Jonathan had no idea what Eric and Gerald would do next. The situation had shifted, catching everyone off guard.
Suddenly, Jonathan's phone rang. The caller ID showed Keith, but when he answered, it was Melinda's voice on the line.
"Is Kathie with you?" Her tone was urgent.
Jonathan glanced at Kathie and nodded. "Yes."
"Kathie, get home now. Hide the three little ones. That impostor's real target is them!"
Kathie and Jonathan's eyes widened at the same instant.
Time rewound to just minutes earlier.
Melinda and Keith had returned home. To avoid exposing their plans, they had been limiting their contact with Kathie and the others. When Keith left for the office, Melinda stayed behind — until a knock came at the door.
She opened it, and a shadow burst in, clamping a hand over her mouth.
Terrified, Melinda stared at the figure. But as the door closed behind them, a familiar voice whispered in her ear, "It's me. Don't make a sound."
She froze, confused, then turned to face him as the hand fell away.
"Bradley? What happened to you?" she asked, staring at the man dressed like a food delivery driver.
Sweat slicked Bradley's forehead. His eyes darted to the window before locking on hers.
"Listen. I don't have much time. I broke out to tell you this, and I'm only going to say it once. You need to hear every word."
He gripped her shoulders, his face grim. As his words sank in, Melinda's eyes widened with shock and fury.
Seeing her about to shout, Bradley clamped a hand over her mouth again.
"Don't make a sound, or I'm dead too."
She nodded quickly, and he let go.
"I know I wronged Kathie," Bradley said, glancing toward the window again. "I thought I could win her that way, but I was wrong. I can't let Eric hurt those three children. When you see Kathie, tell her I'm sorry."
Without another word, he slipped out the door and was gone.
Shaken, Melinda went straight to Keith's office. After a hurried discussion, they decided Jonathan had to know first.
Outside a café, Randy watched Kathie and Jett in an embrace. Kathie looked stricken, Jett comforting her. A flicker of jealousy burned in Randy's eyes.
"Kathie, you bitch," he muttered. "Jonathan's barely cold in the ground, and you're already cozying up to someone else. I thought I had a chance."
He snorted and turned away, starting his car. Kathie's love life was no longer his concern. All that mattered now was surviving Harold's funeral.
Then he slammed the brakes. Watching Kathie step out of the café, he remembered exactly who she was — the Miracle Doctor, with connections feared across the globe. Connections that might just save his life.
Eight days after Harold's death, the funeral began.
As a direct bloodline member of the Berkeley Family, Harold's send-off was lavish. Every business partner of the Berkeleys attended — most of whom had been at Eric and Patricia's wedding not long ago.
"Mr. Berkeley, my condolences," said another guest in a dark suit, laying a flower beside Harold's coffin.
Gerald stood at the side, expressionless, nodding faintly to each visitor in turn. Beside him were Augustus, William and his wife, and Eric — all family, all required to be there.
Gerald's gaze drifted to Harold's still face. The mortician's work was flawless; Harold looked as if he might simply wake.
But Gerald's eyes shifted lower, to the base of the coffin — where a bomb lay hidden.