Chapter 130 Tangled in the Enemy’s Web
DAVID
The room was eerily silent, the kind of silence that pressed against your chest. Bella sat curled on the couch, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. Mrs. Williams stood by the window, her arms crossed as she gazed out into the evening light, her expression unreadable. I leaned back in my armchair, fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest. My patience was running thin, but I wasn’t about to show it.
The sound of soft footsteps approached the door, and then one of my maids appeared. She bowed slightly before speaking.
“Sir, there is a lady here. She claims to be ma’am’s friend,” she said, her voice measured but tinged with curiosity.
A smirk tugged at my lips. So, Elowen finally decided to show up.
“What’s her name?” I asked, sitting forward, my gaze sharp.
“She said her name is Elowen. Should I let her in?”
“Bring her in,” I commanded.
The maid disappeared, and moments later, she returned with Elowen in tow. Her face, a canvas of shock and confusion, made it clear she hadn’t expected this. Her eyes darted around the room, landing on Bella, then on me. The guilt was written all over her.
“Sit,” I said, gesturing to the chair opposite me.
She sank into the seat slowly, her head bowed like a scolded child. I studied her carefully. The tension in her shoulders, the way her hands trembled slightly as they rested on her lap she wasn’t here to defend her father. She was here because she knew she had no choice.
“Are you ready to put your father behind bars?” I asked, my voice cold and precise.
Her gaze flicked to Bella, who avoided her entirely. Elowen swallowed hard before looking back at me.
“If that’s what it takes for Bella to forgive me,” she said softly, her voice trembling but steady. “If it’ll show her I had nothing to do with her father’s death... I’ll do it.”
I leaned back, scrutinizing her. Her words carried a weight of sincerity, and for the first time, I believed she truly wanted to right her father’s wrongs.
“Then you’ll need to go to his house,” I said.
Her brow furrowed. “Why?”
“We’re going to set a trap,” I explained. “Your father is a murderer, Elowen. He’s done enough damage, and he needs to be stopped. You’ll go to him and tell him you’ve done what he asked—you’ve poisoned Bella. Then you’ll demand to know when he’ll stop his madness. Get him to confess everything.”
Her lips parted, as if to protest, but then she closed them and nodded. “What do you need me to do?”
“You’ll wear a tracker,” I said, holding up a small device. “And I’ll give you a recorder. I’ll be able to hear everything.”
She hesitated, her fingers twitching against the chair. “When do we start?”
“Now.”
Her eyes widened, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she stood and turned to Bella, her face softening.
“Bella,” she began, her voice cracking. “I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me someday.”
Bella didn’t respond. Her gaze remained fixed on the floor, her jaw clenched. The silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating.
I cleared my throat and stood. “Let’s move.”
Mrs. Williams stepped forward. “I’m coming with you.”
“No, you’re not,” I said firmly.
She crossed her arms, her glare cutting through me. “This involves my husband. I have a right to be there.”
Her stubbornness wasn’t new to me, and I knew arguing would only waste time. “Fine. But you’ll follow my orders.”
As we headed to the car, I pulled Bella aside. Her arms wrapped protectively around herself, her eyes searching mine.
“I can’t risk losing you,” I said, my voice softening. “Stay here. Please.”
Her jaw tightened, but she nodded reluctantly. I brushed a kiss on her forehead before turning to join the others.
The drive to Western’s mansion was tense. The air in the car was thick with unspoken fears. I handed Elowen the recorder, ensuring it was securely hidden, and attached the tracker to her wrist.
“You’ll be fine,” I said. “Just stick to the plan.”
She nodded, though her hands trembled as she stepped out of the car. I watched her walk toward the imposing gates of the mansion, her shoulders squared despite the fear radiating off her.
Inside the car, we listened intently to the audio feed.
“Dad,” Elowen’s voice echoed through the recorder.
“You’re home,” Western’s voice replied, dripping with fake warmth.
“Don’t call me your daughter,” she snapped.
Western laughed, the sound cold and hollow. “My blood runs through your veins. You can’t deny that. Did you do it? Did you poison her?”
“Yes,” she lied, her voice shaking. “I did what you wanted. Now, give me Mom’s ashes.”
“You think I’m a fool?” Western sneered. “Do you really expect me to believe you poisoned that little bitch?”
I clenched my fists, barely able to contain my anger.
“Bella is in the hospital,” Elowen pressed, her voice trembling. “She might not survive.”
“She won’t,” Western said casually.
There was a beat of silence before Elowen spoke again, her voice laced with desperation. “Why, Dad? Why are you doing this? Why did you kill her father?”
“Desmond shouldn’t have taken what was mine,” Western spat. “I loved her. She belonged to me. And now, I’m planning your future.”
“My future?”
“I’m going to marry Mrs. Williams. That will make you her daughter. And when we’re gone, you’ll inherit the Williams Group.”
Mrs. Williams gasped beside me, her hand flying to her mouth. Tears streaked her face, but her eyes burned with anger.
“That’s enough,” I said, throwing the door open.
We stormed the mansion, guns drawn. Western stood at the center of the room, his smirk vanishing when he saw us. Elowen rushed to my side.
“You ungrateful brat,” Western growled. “You betrayed me!”
Mrs. Williams stepped forward, her voice trembling with rage. “Why? Why did you kill my husband?”
Western’s smirk returned, his eyes glinting with malice. “Because I could.”
Before anyone could react, he pulled out a gun. Shots rang out, and we ducked for cover. When I looked up, he was holding Mrs. Williams hostage, the gun pressed to her temple.
“Stay back, David, or I’ll kill her!” Western shouted, dragging her toward the back door.
I could only watch as he disappeared with her.
This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.