Chapter 7 - The Woman Who Knew
Beatrice Hale was not dead.
Arthur found her living under another name in a small coastal town.
When he entered her house, she immediately knew why he had come.
“You found Renata.”
Arthur stopped.
“How did you know?”
Beatrice smiled sadly.
“Because Julia told me someday you would.”
Arthur sat across from her.
“Tell me everything.”
Beatrice looked toward the window.
“Your brother was stealing from the company.”
Arthur nodded.
“I know.”
“He needed someone to blame.”
“Julia.”
“Yes.”
Arthur's jaw tightened.
“But why did you believe him?”
“I didn't.”
Arthur stared.
“Then why did you help?”
Beatrice's eyes filled with regret.
“Because Michael threatened my son.”
Arthur said nothing.
“He had photographs. Bank records. Things that could destroy my family.”
“What did you do?”
“I helped create the illusion that Julia had stolen the money.”
Arthur looked down.
“And my voice?”
“You were drugged.”
Arthur looked up sharply.
“What?”
“Michael arranged it.”
Beatrice explained that Arthur had been given medication after collapsing during a business meeting.
Michael recorded him speaking.
Then used pieces of his words to create the false confession.
Arthur's hands tightened.
“Julia knew?”
“She discovered everything.”
“Why didn't she come back?”
Beatrice hesitated.
“Because Michael threatened Renata.”
Arthur looked at the little girl standing near the doorway.
“She was born before Julia disappeared.”
“Yes.”
Arthur's eyes filled.
“I never knew.”
Beatrice nodded.
“Julia believed that if you knew Renata existed, Michael would use her against you.”
Arthur looked at Renata.
Suddenly the eleven years of silence had a different meaning.
Julia hadn't abandoned him.
She had protected her daughter.
And perhaps him too.
Arthur whispered:
“Where is Julia now?”
Beatrice looked at him.
“That's the part I never understood.”
“What?”
“She didn't disappear alone.”
Arthur's heart stopped.
“Who took her?”
Beatrice lowered her voice.
May you like
“The person who ordered Michael to do it.”
👉 Arthur finally learned that Michael had been only a piece of the conspiracy—but the identity of the person above him remained hidden.
