Chapter 240 Whispered truths.
Chapter 240 Whispered truths.
THIRD PERSON’S POV.
“There you are,” Trisha smiled when she found Serena, but her smile quickly faded into a frown the moment she noticed Damian standing beside her. “How did you…”
“It’s okay,” Serena cut in before she could finish. “Damian and I are on the same side now.”
Trisha looked between them for a moment before nodding slowly.
“Okay… I guess.”
Deciding it was better not to question it, she moved on.
“So where are the discovery papers you told me about?”
Serena dropped her handbag onto the table and carefully pulled out the red-covered folder.
“Everything is in here. There’s enough evidence to send Horace to prison for the rest of his life… and Pa Benedict too.”
Trisha frowned.
“What did Pa Benedict do?”
“I’ve been getting flashes of memory from the night I was thrown off that balcony,” Serena admitted. “Something tells me that once those memories fully come together, we’re going to discover he’s just as guilty as Horace.”
“Then I’d better get writing.”
Trisha tucked the folder beneath her arm.
“I’m going to finish the exposé and send it to every major news outlet in Monterra. They’ll all wait for my signal before publishing.”
She pointed between Damian and Serena.
“You two stay hidden and, for heaven’s sake, don’t let anyone recognize you.”
Without waiting for another response, she hurried away.
Once she disappeared into the crowd, Serena turned toward Damian.
“I have something else I need to tell you.”
Her voice was soft now.
Almost nervous.
“What is it?”
She glanced around the ballroom.
“I think we should go somewhere private.”
Damian didn’t ask another question.Instead, he gently took her hand and led her toward the exit.
“Hey!” Serena laughed as she struggled to keep up. “Where are we going?”
“I know a place.” He opened the passenger door for her.“Trust me.”
~ ~ ~
“Why did you bring me here?” Serena asked as she climbed out of the car.
The moment her feet touched the gravel, recognition spread across her face.
A smile slowly found its way onto her lips.
“I haven’t been here in so long.”
Damian reached for her hand.
“I had a feeling whatever you’re about to tell me was important. When you said you wanted somewhere quiet… this was the only place I could think of.”
He smiled warmly.
“Your favorite place.”
Serena looked around the peaceful clearing before looking back at him.
“You remembered.”
“Of course I did.”
Standing on her toes, she pressed a gentle kiss against his cheek. “This was the perfect choice, the perfect place.”
Damian smiled. “So what did you want to tell me?”
Serena inhaled slowly.
Then placed a protective hand over her stomach.
“I’m pregnant.” Her voice barely rose above a whisper. “I found out after the explosion.”
For a second Damian simply stared.
Then his eyes widened. “Wait, what?” He blinked twice.
Then laughed in complete disbelief before sweeping her off the ground. “Are you serious?”
Serena burst into laughter, kicking her feet playfully.
“Yes!” She giggled. “It must have happened the night we were together.”
Her smile turned cold as she added. “The night before Cassandra.”
Damian held her face in his hands then rested his forehead against hers.
“We really are magic together.” His voice trembled with emotion. “And somehow we created something even more magical. The past ceases to exist today.”
Serena smiled. “We did. But we can’t bring this baby into a broken family, Damian.”
Her expression slowly turned serious just as his smile faded.
“We still have wounds that need healing.”She looked directly into his eyes. “And I refuse to pass generations of trauma onto our child.”
Damian nodded without hesitation. “I know.”
He kissed her forehead. “Our baby is going to grow up in a peaceful home. A home filled with love.”
“A home where they’ll never question whether they’re wanted.” Serena added.
~ ~ ~
Trisha had written her exposé on Horace and sent it to every major news outlet in Monterra. Now they all waited patiently for her signal before publishing the story simultaneously.
Horace, on the other hand, had gone completely rogue since the last Gregory board meeting.
The subsidiary company had begun operating hand in hand with the parent company, and his meeting with the cartel Dons had even been moved ahead of his election, which was scheduled to take place that very morning.
“Attorney Bill, you’ve delayed this day for as long as you could. I hope it was worth it,” Horace smirked. “Because now I’m about to assume my position, and there’s nothing more you can do about it.”
“I’m sorry you think my reasons for delaying this election were personal, Horace,” Bill replied calmly. “I was only acting in the best interest of Gregory Enterprise.”
“Well, now that’s over with,” Pa Benedict interjected. “Name him the new CEO so we can all move on with our lives.”
The shareholders nodded in agreement.
“I agree,” one of them said. “This has dragged on far longer than necessary, and we’d all like to put it behind us.”
“Go on, Bill,” Horace said with another smug smile. “We’re waiting.”
“Alright. Once again, I apologize for the delay,” Bill replied. “We’re going to proceed with today’s business. But first… I’d like us all to tune in to the morning news.”
“What circus is this now, Bill?” Horace shot to his feet. “I told you I didn’t want any more delays.”
“Relax, Horace,” Sarah said evenly. “Let’s watch the news like Bill suggested. Then he can make whatever point he’s trying to make, and we can continue.”
“Fine,” Horace barked. “Jane, turn on the television.”
Jane hurried forward and picked up the remote.
The moment she switched to the news channel, the color drained from her face.
Horace frowned.
“What now?”
Without answering, Jane simply stepped aside.
Horace slowly turned toward the giant television screen.
His expression froze.
Then it darkened.
“What the fuck is this nonsense?” he roared. “Who approved these lies being broadcast on national television?”
One of the board members adjusted his glasses before reading the headline aloud.
“The Murdering Husband: An Exposé on Horace Clarkwood, now known as Horace Gregory.”
He looked up with a chuckle.
“Look at that, Horace… you’re famous.”
Laughter erupted around the room.
Sarah didn’t join in.
“I’m glad you all find this amusing,” she said coldly, “but according to this report, the man sitting before us murdered his wife, his father-in-law… and even attempted to murder his own daughter.”
“Oh, come on,” another shareholder scoffed. “This has to be fake.”
He turned toward Horace.
“This isn’t true… is it?”
“Of course it’s a lie,” Pa Benedict answered before Horace could.
He slowly rose to his feet. “Horace would never do something like tha..” His words stopped abruptly.
Bill’s voice cut across the room.
“I wish I could declare Horace CEO,” he said quietly, “but unfortunately this meeting cannot begin until every member of the Gregory family is present.”
“They’re all here,” Horace growled through clenched teeth.
“No.” Bill smiled. “One person is still missing.”
He turned to the door, raising his voice slightly. “You may come in now.”
Every head in the room turned.