Chapter 6 - The Poisoned Apple
The ballroom spun slightly as the security guard's words echoed in my mind.
My father had not collapsed from the stress of his age.
Gavin had intentionally tried to murder him to force the merger through.
I gripped the small USB drive tightly in my palm until the plastic edges dug into my skin.
Gavin stared down at the sizzling champagne on the carpet, completely oblivious to the truth.
He looked up at Charlotte, his eyes narrowing with sudden, dangerous suspicion.
"What did you put in my drink?" Gavin demanded quietly.
Charlotte took a panicked step backward, her lips trembling in absolute fear.
"Nothing!" Charlotte lied, her voice cracking under the pressure.
Gavin grabbed her by the throat, completely ignoring the wealthy guests staring at them.
"You tried to kill me, you treacherous whore," Gavin snarled.
Julian signaled to the hotel security, and they quickly pulled Gavin off the terrified woman.
The entire gala was ruined, and Gavin's reputation was permanently destroyed in front of his peers.
I turned around and walked out of the ballroom without looking back.
Julian followed me closely, guiding me out to the waiting armored SUV.
"Take me to the hospital," I ordered my driver the moment I got inside.
I plugged the security guard's USB drive into my secure tablet during the ride.
The screen lit up with a hidden surveillance video from the Sterling Meridian executive kitchen.
The video showed Gavin handing a thick envelope of cash to one of my father's private chefs.
The chef then poured a clear, odorless liquid into my father's daily morning coffee.
Tears of pure, burning rage streamed down my cheeks.
Gavin was not just a greedy corporate bully.
He was a calculated, cold-blooded monster.
We arrived at the private hospital, and I rushed up to the intensive care unit.
My father was lying in the bed, surrounded by beeping machines and tangled tubes.
He looked so incredibly fragile, entirely unlike the titan of industry I grew up respecting.
I sat on the edge of his bed and gently held his cold, motionless hand.
"I am going to take everything from him, Dad," I promised into the quiet room.
"I am going to make him wish you had let that poison finish the job."
My phone buzzed in my purse, shattering the solemn silence of the hospital room.
It was a text message from Charlotte.
"Gavin froze all my bank accounts and sent men to my apartment," the message read.
"If you protect me, I will give you the physical evidence proving he poisoned your father."
I typed a reply immediately, setting a meeting location.
"Bring the evidence to the old diner on 4th Street in twenty minutes," I sent.
Julian looked over my shoulder and frowned deeply.
"It could be a desperate trap, Ms. Miller," Julian warned.
May you like
"I don't care," I replied, standing up with fierce determination.
"I am ending this tonight."
