Chapter 15 - The Vanishing Witness
The handcuffs clicked loudly around Margaret Westwood’s fragile, diamond-adorned wrists.
She did not cry this time.
She stood tall, glaring at her son with cold, unforgiving eyes as the officers led her toward the flashing police cars outside.
"You lost your whole family tonight, Adrian," Margaret warned in a dark whisper as she passed him.
"You have no wife, no brother, no mother, and no company."
"I still have my soul," Adrian replied without looking at her.
"And I have Claire's justice."
The officers loaded Margaret into the back of a black transport sedan.
The remaining guests quickly cleared out of the estate, eager to escape the massive scandal unfolding before them.
By three o'clock in the morning, the grand estate was completely quiet for the first time in years.
Adrian stood alone in the center of the vast, empty ballroom.
Broken crystal glasses and abandoned champagne flutes covered the tables.
Natalie walked up behind him, wrapping a heavy coat around her shoulders.
"What do we do now, Adrian?" Natalie asked softly.
Adrian looked up at the giant crystal chandelier hanging from the vaulted ceiling.
"Now, we finish it," Adrian said softly.
He walked up the grand staircase toward his master suite.
He knocked gently on the double doors.
"Rachel, it's me," Adrian called out.
The lock turned instantly.
Rachel opened the door, her eyes filled with deep worry.
"Is it over, Mr. Westwood?" she asked.
"It’s over," Adrian confirmed gently.
Emma was curled up on the center of the giant king-sized bed, sound asleep while hugging her plush rabbit.
Adrian walked over to the bedside and adjusted the warm blanket over the child's shoulders.
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"She gave me the truth when everyone else gave me lies," Adrian murmured softly.
"I will never forget what you both did tonight."
