Chapter 4 - The Bride's Discovery
Renata swung the heavy bronze candlestick with all her might.
It connected solidly with Sebastian's shoulder, sending him crashing into a stack of old wooden crates.
I scrambled to my feet and ran toward the doorway.
"Come with me, right now," Renata urged, grabbing my hand tightly.
We sprinted down the grand staircase as fast as our legs could carry us.
The massive estate was eerily quiet, completely emptied of the usual domestic staff for the night.
"My father is waiting for us at the police station downtown," Renata panted as we reached the foyer.
Just as we approached the front door, the security system suddenly blared a high-pitched alarm.
The heavy steel shutters on all the windows and doors violently slammed shut.
The entire house went into an absolute lockdown mode.
Beatrice Sterling stepped out of the shadows of the formal living room.
She was holding a small remote control and a very large kitchen knife.
"Nobody is leaving this house tonight," my adoptive mother said with a sinister grin.
"You are completely insane, Beatrice," Renata shouted at her.
"I am protecting my family's reputation and our hard-earned fortune," Beatrice replied calmly.
"You stole Mariana's life, and my father will destroy you for it," Renata warned her.
Beatrice laughed, a dry and humorless sound that echoed in the marble foyer.
"Your father cannot do anything if you are both framed for a tragic murder-suicide," Beatrice explained.
She took a slow, menacing step toward us with the knife raised.
Suddenly, Sebastian stumbled down the stairs, clutching his bleeding shoulder.
"Do not hurt Renata, Mother," Sebastian yelled desperately.
"She knows too much, Sebastian, and she has to be eliminated with the maid," Beatrice stated coldly.
May you like
Sebastian looked at his furious mother, and then pulled a small pistol from his waistband.
He aimed the weapon directly at his own mother's chest.
