The Woman Who Saved the Man Everyone Thought Was Broken

The gun clicked again Ordered the Accident

The gun clicked again.

Emma turned toward the doorway.

A man stood in the corridor,.

Emma turned toward the doorway.

A man stood in the corridor, his face hidden beneath the shadow of a dark baseball cap. He held a pistol in one hand and his face hidden beneath the shadow of a dark baseball cap. He held a pistol in one hand and a small radio in the other.

"Nobody move.""

Adrian stepped between Emma and the stranger a small radio in the other.

"Nobody move.""

Adrian stepped between Emma and the stranger.

"Put the gun down.""

The man laughed.

"You still think you can give orders, Blackwood?""

Daniel grabbed.

"Put the gun down.""

The man laughed.

"You still think you can give orders, Blackwood?""

Daniel grabbed Emma's wrist.

"Get behind the bed.""

"Dad—"

"Now!""

Emma moved, pulling Daniel's Emma's wrist.

"Get behind the bed.""

"Dad—"

"Now!""

Emma moved, pulling Daniel's chair away from the doorway.

The stranger raised his weapon.

"Victor wants the girl alive chair away from the doorway.

The stranger raised his weapon.

"Victor wants the girl alive. The rest of you are optional.""

Adrian's expression hardened.

"Where is Victor?""

"Some. The rest of you are optional.""

Adrian's expression hardened.

"Where is Victor?""

"Somewhere you won't find him.""

"Tell him I want to talk.""

"He doesn'twhere you won't find him.""

"Tell him I want to talk.""

"He doesn't want to talk to you.""

The stranger took another step.

Then the want to talk to you.""

The stranger took another step.

Then the lights went out.

A heavy impact echoed through the corridor.

Someone shouted.

Emma heard a gunshot.

lights went out.

A heavy impact echoed through the corridor.

Someone shouted.

Emma heard a gunshot.

Daniel grabbed her hand.

"Stay down!""

A second later, emergency lights flickered on.

TheDaniel grabbed her hand.

"Stay down!""

A second later, emergency lights flickered on.

The gunman was lying against the wall.

Marcus stood over him, breathing heavily, one hand pressed gunman was lying against the wall.

Marcus stood over him, breathing heavily, one hand pressed against a bleeding cut above his eyebrow.

Adrian rushed toward Emma.

"Are you hurt?""

She shook her head.

against a bleeding cut above his eyebrow.

Adrian rushed toward Emma.

"Are you hurt?""

She shook her head.

"Where did Marcus go?""

Adrian turned.

The security officer was already pulling the unconscious gun"Where did Marcus go?""

Adrian turned.

The security officer was already pulling the unconscious gunman away from the doorway.

"Marcus!""

"He's alive, sir," Marcus called.

"But we need to leaveman away from the doorway.

"Marcus!""

"He's alive, sir," Marcus called.

"But we need to leave. There are two more men outside.""

Adrian looked at Daniel.

"Can. There are two more men outside.""

Adrian looked at Daniel.

"Can you walk?""

Daniel shook his head.

"Not without assistance.""

Adrian removed his jacket and folded you walk?""

Daniel shook his head.

"Not without assistance.""

Adrian removed his jacket and folded it beneath Daniel's shoulders.

"We'll get you out.""

Emma helped support her it beneath Daniel's shoulders.

"We'll get you out.""

Emma helped support her father as they moved toward the rear exit.

But before they reached the door, Daniel stopped.

"Wait father as they moved toward the rear exit.

But before they reached the door, Daniel stopped.

"Wait.""

He pointed toward the bedside table.

"There's something underneath.""

Emma reached.""

He pointed toward the bedside table.

"There's something underneath.""

Emma reached beneath it and found a small metal box.

It was locked.

Daniel gave her a weak smile.

"Your mother gave me that key years ago. I beneath it and found a small metal box.

It was locked.

Daniel gave her a weak smile.

"Your mother gave me that key years ago. I thought I'd never see it again.""

Emma took the brass key from her pocket.

It fit.

Inside were several documents, an thought I'd never see it again.""

Emma took the brass key from her pocket.

It fit.

Inside were several documents, an old cassette recorder, and a photograph of three men standing outside Blackwood Holdings.

Richard Blackwood.

Victor Hale.

And a old cassette recorder, and a photograph of three men standing outside Blackwood Holdings.

Richard Blackwood.

Victor Hale.

And a third man.

Adrian stared at the photograph.

His face changed.

"That's impossible.""

Emma looked at him.

"Who third man.

Adrian stared at the photograph.

His face changed.

"That's impossible.""

Emma looked at him.

"Who is it?""

Adrian's voice was barely audible.

"My uncle.""

Daniel nodded.

"Edward Blackwood.""

Ad is it?""

Adrian's voice was barely audible.

"My uncle.""

Daniel nodded.

"Edward Blackwood.""

Adrian shook his head.

"Edward died twenty years ago.""

"No," Daniel replied.

"Edward disappearedrian shook his head.

"Edward died twenty years ago.""

"No," Daniel replied.

"Edward disappeared twenty years ago. Your father told everyone he was dead because he had discovered what the family was doing.""

Adrian looked down at the photograph.

" twenty years ago. Your father told everyone he was dead because he had discovered what the family was doing.""

Adrian looked down at the photograph.

"Why would my uncle be involved in my accident?""

Daniel's eyes filled withWhy would my uncle be involved in my accident?""

Daniel's eyes filled with anger.

"Because your uncle was the real owner of the company. Richard was only the public face. When anger.

"Because your uncle was the real owner of the company. Richard was only the public face. When you began asking questions about the missing accounts, Edward decided you were becoming dangerous.""

Emma opened the box again you began asking questions about the missing accounts, Edward decided you were becoming dangerous.""

Emma opened the box again.

"What's on the cassette?""

"Everything.""

Daniel looked at Adrian.

"Your father recorded.

"What's on the cassette?""

"Everything.""

Daniel looked at Adrian.

"Your father recorded a conversation with Edward and Victor three days before the accident. They were discussing the plan to remove a conversation with Edward and Victor three days before the accident. They were discussing the plan to remove you from the company permanently.""

Adrian's jaw tightened.

"Remove me?""

"They intended to make your you from the company permanently.""

Adrian's jaw tightened.

"Remove me?""

"They intended to make your accident look like a suicide attempt caused by your own negligence. Afterward, they would have accident look like a suicide attempt caused by your own negligence. Afterward, they would have declared you mentally unfit to manage the business.""

Emma stared at the photograph.

"And my father?""

Daniel looked down.

declared you mentally unfit to manage the business.""

Emma stared at the photograph.

"And my father?""

Daniel looked down.

"I was supposed to help Adrian escape. Instead, I became the only witness.""

A"I was supposed to help Adrian escape. Instead, I became the only witness.""

A loud crash came from the front of the building.

Marcus shouted from the corridor.

"We have to go!""

Adrian took the metal box.

Emma helped her father stand.

They reached loud crash came from the front of the building.

Marcus shouted from the corridor.

"We have to go!""

Adrian took the metal box.

Emma helped her father stand.

They reached the rear exit just as a vehicle's headlights swept across the windows.

A black SUV stopped outside.

The rear door opened.

A man stepped out.

He was older the rear exit just as a vehicle's headlights swept across the windows.

A black SUV stopped outside.

The rear door opened.

A man stepped out.

He was older, with silver hair and a long dark coat.

Adrian froze.

"Uncle Edward, with silver hair and a long dark coat.

Adrian froze.

"Uncle Edward?""

The man smiled.

"Hello, Adrian.""

Daniel's fingers tightened around Emma's arm.

"That's the?""

The man smiled.

"Hello, Adrian.""

Daniel's fingers tightened around Emma's arm.

"That's the man.""

Edward Blackwood raised one hand.

"Please don't make this difficult.""

Adrian stepped forward.

"You've been dead for twenty years.""

"Only man.""

Edward Blackwood raised one hand.

"Please don't make this difficult.""

Adrian stepped forward.

"You've been dead for twenty years.""

"Only officially.""

"Why did you do it?""

Edward looked almost disappointed.

"Because you were becoming exactly like your father. Sentimental. officially.""

"Why did you do it?""

Edward looked almost disappointed.

"Because you were becoming exactly like your father. Sentimental. Predictable. Weak.""

"You tried to kill me.""

"I tried to protect the family.""

"You destroyed Predictable. Weak.""

"You tried to kill me.""

"I tried to protect the family.""

"You destroyed Daniel's life.""

Edward glanced at the elderly man.

"Daniel made a choice.""

Emma stepped forward.

"He Daniel's life.""

Edward glanced at the elderly man.

"Daniel made a choice.""

Emma stepped forward.

"He chose to protect your nephew.""

Edward's eyes moved toward her.

"And you must be the daughter.""

Emma felt chose to protect your nephew.""

Edward's eyes moved toward her.

"And you must be the daughter.""

Emma felt Adrian move closer.

Edward smiled.

"Your father Adrian move closer.

Edward smiled.

"Your father was always an inconvenient man.""

Daniel lifted his head.

"You haven't changed, Edward.""

"No. Unlike you was always an inconvenient man.""

Daniel lifted his head.

"You haven't changed, Edward.""

"No. Unlike you, I learned when to stop fighting.""

He raised his hand.

Two men emerged from the SUV.

Marcus appeared behind them, holding his sidearm.

"Get away from them!""

Edward, I learned when to stop fighting.""

He raised his hand.

Two men emerged from the SUV.

Marcus appeared behind them, holding his sidearm.

"Get away from them!""

Edward sighed.

"Marcus. You really should have stayed loyal.""

Marcus raised his weapon.

"Drop yours.""

sighed.

"Marcus. You really should have stayed loyal.""

Marcus raised his weapon.

"Drop yours.""

For a moment, nobody moved.

Then Edward looked at Adrian.

"You have no idea what your father left behind.""

AdFor a moment, nobody moved.

Then Edward looked at Adrian.

"You have no idea what your father left behind.""

Adrian tightened his grip on the metal box.

"Then explain it.""

Edward smiled.

"Your father didn't leave you therian tightened his grip on the metal box.

"Then explain it.""

Edward smiled.

"Your father didn't leave you the company. He left you a problem.""

He gestured toward the SUV.

"Get in, Adrian. We can company. He left you a problem.""

He gestured toward the SUV.

"Get in, Adrian. We can discuss it somewhere private.""

"No.""

Edward's smile disappeared.

"Then I suppose we'll have to discuss it discuss it somewhere private.""

"No.""

Edward's smile disappeared.

"Then I suppose we'll have to discuss it with your lawyer after your arrest.""

He lifted his phone.

On the screen was a photograph of Adrian standing over the with your lawyer after your arrest.""

He lifted his phone.

On the screen was a photograph of Adrian standing over the unconscious gunman.

A second photograph showed Emma holding a pistol she had taken from the floor during the struggle.

It was unconscious gunman.

A second photograph showed Emma holding a pistol she had taken from the floor during the struggle.

It was clearly edited, but the image looked convincing.

"Attempted murder," Edward said.

"Armed assault clearly edited, but the image looked convincing.

"Attempted murder," Edward said.

"Armed assault. Evidence tampering. I can make the police believe whatever I want.""

Adrian looked at Marcus.

Marcus shook his head slightly.

Then Daniel spoke. Evidence tampering. I can make the police believe whatever I want.""

Adrian looked at Marcus.

Marcus shook his head slightly.

Then Daniel spoke.

"Edward.""

The older man turned.

"Yes?""

"You've forgotten something.""

Daniel reached.

"Edward.""

The older man turned.

"Yes?""

"You've forgotten something.""

Daniel reached into his shirt pocket and removed a small black device.

Edward's expression changed.

"The into his shirt pocket and removed a small black device.

Edward's expression changed.

"The original recording," Daniel said.

Adrian stared at the device.

Daniel smiled faintly.

"I original recording," Daniel said.

Adrian stared at the device.

Daniel smiled faintly.

"I didn't keep everything in that box.""

Edward stepped forward.

"Give it to me.""

"No.""

Edward didn't keep everything in that box.""

Edward stepped forward.

"Give it to me.""

"No.""

Edward raised his gun.

Marcus fired.

The shot struck the SUV's windshield.

The two raised his gun.

Marcus fired.

The shot struck the SUV's windshield.

The two armed men ducked.

Adrian pulled Emma and Daniel behind the concrete wall beside armed men ducked.

Adrian pulled Emma and Daniel behind the concrete wall beside the exit.

Another shot rang out.

Then the SUV reversed violently and sped the exit.

Another shot rang out.

Then the SUV reversed violently and sped away.

Marcus rushed toward them.

"Everyone all right?""

Adrian nodded.

"Did you get the plate?""

" away.

Marcus rushed toward them.

"Everyone all right?""

Adrian nodded.

"Did you get the plate?""

"Yes.""

"Call the police.""

Marcus looked at Daniel.

"Sir, we needYes.""

"Call the police.""

Marcus looked at Daniel.

"Sir, we need to get him to a proper hospital.""

Daniel nodded weakly.

"Before to get him to a proper hospital.""

Daniel nodded weakly.

"Before you do, there is something else you need to know.""

Adrian crouched beside him.

"What?""

Daniel looked at Emma.

Then back at Adrian.

"Edward didn't act alone.""

Emma closed her eyes.

"Who else?""

Daniel's voice dropped.

"Someone inside your family helped him.""

Adrian stared.

"Who you do, there is something else you need to know.""

Adrian crouched beside him.

"What?""

Daniel looked at Emma.

Then back at Adrian.

"Edward didn't act alone.""

Emma closed her eyes.

"Who else?""

Daniel's voice dropped.

"Someone inside your family helped him.""

Adrian stared.

"Who?""

Daniel reached for the photograph in Emma's hand.

He pointed at the third person standing beside Edward and?""

Daniel reached for the photograph in Emma's hand.

He pointed at the third person standing beside Edward and Richard.

A woman.

Her face was partly hidden by the shadow of a doorway.

Emma recognized the diamond bracelet.

The same bracelet she had seen at the charity Richard.

A woman.

Her face was partly hidden by the shadow of a doorway.

Emma recognized the diamond bracelet.

The same bracelet she had seen at the charity gala.

Vanessa Blackwood.

Two hours later, Daniel was admitted to a private hospital under police protection.

Emma sat beside his bed, holding his hand.

Ad gala.

Vanessa Blackwood.

Two hours later, Daniel was admitted to a private hospital under police protection.

Emma sat beside his bed, holding his hand.

Adrian stood near the window, staring at the city lights.

Neither had spoken much since leaving the clinic.

Finally, Danielrian stood near the window, staring at the city lights.

Neither had spoken much since leaving the clinic.

Finally, Daniel opened his eyes.

"Adrian.""

Adrian turned.

"Yes?""

"Your father wasn't the only one who knew about the accounts.""

opened his eyes.

"Adrian.""

Adrian turned.

"Yes?""

"Your father wasn't the only one who knew about the accounts.""

Adrian approached the bed.

"Who else?""

Daniel looked toward Emma.

"Vanessa.""

Emma's stomach tightenedAdrian approached the bed.

"Who else?""

Daniel looked toward Emma.

"Vanessa.""

Emma's stomach tightened.

"How?""

"She was Edward's financial adviser before she became your fiancée.""

Adrian went completely.

"How?""

"She was Edward's financial adviser before she became your fiancée.""

Adrian went completely still.

Daniel continued.

"She helped move the money. She also provided the information Edward needed to arrange still.

Daniel continued.

"She helped move the money. She also provided the information Edward needed to arrange your accident.""

Adrian stared at the floor.

"She was with me for years.""

"She was your accident.""

Adrian stared at the floor.

"She was with me for years.""

"She was watching you," Daniel replied.

"Not loving you.""

Emma remembered Vanessa standing behind the wheelchair.

The unlocked brakes.

The missing eleven watching you," Daniel replied.

"Not loving you.""

Emma remembered Vanessa standing behind the wheelchair.

The unlocked brakes.

The missing eleven seconds.

The fear in her eyes when Adrian stood.

"She knew he could walk," Emma whispered.

Adrian looked at her.

seconds.

The fear in her eyes when Adrian stood.

"She knew he could walk," Emma whispered.

Adrian looked at her.

"Perhaps.""

Daniel shook his head.

"She knew more than that.""

He reached toward the bedside table.

There"Perhaps.""

Daniel shook his head.

"She knew more than that.""

He reached toward the bedside table.

There was another envelope.

"Your father kept this for you," Daniel said to Adrian.

Adrian opened it.

Inside was a letter written by was another envelope.

"Your father kept this for you," Daniel said to Adrian.

Adrian opened it.

Inside was a letter written by Richard Blackwood.

Adrian,

*If you are reading this, Edward has returned. I made a Richard Blackwood.

Adrian,

If you are reading this, Edward has returned. I made a terrible mistake by allowing him to control the company. I thought I could protect you by keeping you away from the truth.

But the terrible mistake by allowing him to control the company. I thought I could protect you by keeping you away from the truth.

But the greatest danger is not the man you can see.

It is the person who knows exactly how you will react.

Do not trust the woman who tells you greatest danger is not the man you can see.

It is the person who knows exactly how you will react.

Do not trust the woman who tells you she has forgiven you.

Adrian looked up.

At that exact moment, his phone rang.

The caller ID she has forgiven you.*

Adrian looked up.

At that exact moment, his phone rang.

The caller ID showed an unknown number.