Chapter 11
353words
To celebrate—and to flaunt his victory to the business world—Frederick hosted an obscenely lavish gala.
He dragged me from my hospital room, forced me into a designer gown and blinding jewelry, and paraded me as his trophy at his celebration.
At the gala, he gripped my hand as we circulated among the elite, basking in their admiration and envy.
I played the perfect doll, my face fixed in an appropriate smile while mentally counting down.
Three. Two. One.
Just as Frederick raised his glass for a triumphant toast, the ballroom doors burst open.
Securities Commission investigators and financial crimes officers stormed in, Howard Hayes calmly walking beside them.
"Frederick Fisher, we're investigating Fisher Group for securities fraud and market manipulation. You'll need to come with us immediately."
The room exploded into chaos.
Frederick's smile vanished. He whipped toward me, his eyes blazing with hatred and disbelief.
In that instant, he knew I'd outplayed him again.
"SOPHIE!"
He lunged at me like a rabid animal, his eyes promising murder.
Right on cue, my pre-arranged "accident" unfolded.
The massive crystal chandelier above us sparked, flames erupting as it broke free with a thunderous crack!
I was holding my son Noah, just brought over by the nanny.
Frederick lunged forward instinctively.
But not to protect me.
In the split second before impact, he violently shoved me aside, grabbing only the child from my arms!
"My heir cannot die!" he roared.
His shove sent me crashing into a champagne tower, glass exploding around me.
That moment's delay to grab the child cost him dearly.
The massive chandelier crashed down onto his back and legs.
CRASH!
After the deafening impact came absolute silence.
Then the horrified screams began.
I lifted my head from the debris to see Frederick sprawled in a pool of blood, my screaming son clutched protectively in his arms.
I smiled.
In the cruelest way possible, Frederick, you've shown the world you never loved me.
You loved only your bloodline, your legacy.
And I've used that selfishness to craft you a perfect, custom-made coffin.
