Chapter 7 - THE UNEXPECTED BETRAYAL
A quiet chime echoed from the penthouse doorway as the private access lock clicked open from the outside.
A tall, elegant woman in a sharp white business suit stepped into the penthouse, carrying a sleek leather briefcase.
"Victoria," Mr. Cole greeted her, stepping forward with an approving nod. "Did you bring the legal protection files?"
Victoria Vance, corporate legal counsel for the hotel chain and cousin to Mr. Cole, smiled warmly as she entered.
"I brought the full DNA registry forms and the emergency federal protection order for Clara," Victoria replied smoothly.
She set her briefcase on the marble dining table, opening the brass latches with two crisp electronic beeps.
Clara felt a sudden, sharp instinct scream in the back of her mind as she noticed Victoria’s right hand.
On Victoria’s index finger sat the exact same gold crest ring they had seen on the hooded man in the security video.
"Mr. Cole! Look at her hand!" Clara screamed, clutching baby Maya and jumping up from the leather sofa.
Mr. Cole’s eyes locked onto the gold ring, his athletic body instantly shifting into a protective combat stance.
Victoria’s warm smile instantly morphed into a cold, menacing sneer as she pulled a small silver syringe from her briefcase.
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"You should have stayed out of family business, Cole," Victoria stated coldly, signaling toward the hallway behind her.
***
