Chapter 5
I did not tell Julian my movement was returning.
Only my doctors, Rebecca, and Detective Bell knew.
My neurologist explained that recovery remained uncertain.
I might regain significant function.
I might need months of rehabilitation.
No promises.
That was enough for me.
The next morning, I moved my right foot.
By afternoon, I could slightly bend one knee.
It exhausted me.
But every movement felt like taking something back.
Meanwhile, Rebecca fought a different battle.
Vance Development’s board had called an emergency meeting.
Julian’s allies wanted temporary leadership.
“Who are his allies?”
“Three directors.”
“Names.”
Rebecca gave them to me.
Robert Kane.
Steven Mills.
Patricia Lowe.
I knew all three.
Robert had worked with my father.
Steven had joined under me.
Patricia had attended my baby shower.
“Did they know about Julian’s plan?”
“We don’t know.”
“Then we find out.”
I joined the board meeting by secure video from the hospital.
The room went silent when my face appeared.
Robert cleared his throat.
“Amelia, perhaps you should rest.”
“I’ve rested enough.”
Steven shifted uncomfortably.
“We’re concerned about continuity.”
“So am I.”
I displayed Julian’s revoked authorization.
“He no longer represents this company.”
Patricia frowned.
“Julian told us you transferred executive control.”
“He lied.”
I displayed the forged documents.
“Someone also stole eight million dollars.”
Silence.
Then Robert said something revealing.
“The money will be returned.”
Everyone froze.
I leaned toward the camera.
“I never said we knew who took it.”
Robert realized his mistake.
Rebecca smiled.
“Mr. Kane, would you like to explain how you know the funds can be returned?”
He disconnected.
Detective Bell, watching from another room, immediately sent officers to locate him.
Robert was caught attempting to leave his office with two laptops.
Now the conspiracy had reached my board.
Investigators recovered messages between Robert and Eleanor.
He had been feeding her internal corporate information.
Why?
Money.
Always money.
Robert owed millions after failed investments.
Julian promised to keep him on the board and erase his debts once control changed.
Steven and Patricia, however, appeared innocent.
Both voted to suspend Robert.
The company stabilized.
Then police found Dana.
She had not fled willingly.
She was hiding in a motel outside the city.
When Bell asked why, she said Julian threatened her.
Dana admitted copying documents for him.
At first voluntarily.
Julian paid her.
Later, she realized what he intended.
She tried to stop.
That was when he threatened to blame the entire theft on her.
“Why didn’t she come to me?” I asked Rebecca.
“Fear.”
I was getting tired of fear destroying everyone around me.
Dana surrendered a backup drive.
It contained recordings.
Julian talking about me.
Eleanor discussing the hospital plan.
Robert describing fake board resolutions.
Then Cassandra’s voice appeared.
“If Amelia starts recovering?”
Julian answered.
“We move her somewhere private.”
“Rehab?”
“Exactly.”
“And then?”
A pause.
Julian’s voice became quiet.
“We control who sees her.”
My skin went cold.
They were planning a second prison for me.
Not bars.
Medical paperwork.
A private rehabilitation facility.
Rebecca searched the name mentioned later in the recording.
Blackwood Recovery Center.
Exclusive.
Remote.
Owned through another corporation.
She looked at me.
“You know who owns Blackwood?”
“No.”
“Eleanor’s brother.”
Julian’s family had planned every step.
Hospital.
Company.
Rehabilitation.
Isolation.
Then Rebecca found the admission form.
It had already been completed.
Patient:
Amelia Vance.
May you like
Admission date:
Tomorrow.
