Episode 10: the woman behind the betrayal

The Woman Behind the Betrayal

Two hours later, Adrian's security team located Grace at a small hotel outside the city.

Isabella insisted on going with him.

When they arrived, Grace rushed into her arms.

"Isabella!"

Isabella held her tightly.

"You're safe. That's all that matters."

Grace shook her head.

"No, it isn't. There's something you need to know."

She looked at Adrian.

"I didn't disappear by accident. Someone at the mansion contacted me and said you were in danger. They told me to leave without telling anyone."

"Who contacted you?" Adrian asked.

Grace swallowed.

"Your housekeeper."

Adrian frowned.

"Mrs. Daniels?"

Grace nodded.

"She gave me a letter and told me to meet someone who could explain everything about Isabella's birth."

Isabella's heart raced.

"What did the letter say?"

Grace pulled a folded paper from her handbag.

It contained a name and an address.

Mrs. Evelyn Okafor.

Isabella stared at the name from the newspaper clipping.

Her possible biological mother.

"Did you meet her?" Isabella asked.

Grace shook her head.

"No. Before I could get there, someone followed me. I ran to the hotel and hid."

Adrian's expression darkened.

"Mrs. Daniels has worked for my family for fifteen years. She knows things about this house that even I don't know."

"Then perhaps it's time you started asking questions," Isabella replied.

When they returned to the mansion, Mrs. Daniels was waiting in the entrance hall.

Adrian approached her.

"Did you send Grace a letter?"

The housekeeper looked at Isabella.

Then at Grace.

Finally, she lowered her head.

"Yes, sir."

"Why?"

"Because your father made me promise to protect Isabella if anything ever happened to him."

Adrian went still.

"My father?"

Mrs. Daniels nodded.

"Your father knew Isabella's biological family. He knew what happened at the hospital twenty years ago. And he knew that one day, someone would come looking for her."

Isabella stepped forward.

"Who switched the babies?"

Mrs. Daniels looked as if she might cry.

"I don't know who physically switched them. But I know who paid to keep the truth hidden."

"Who?"

The housekeeper raised her eyes.

"Victoria Blackwood's mother."

Silence filled the hall.

Adrian looked stunned.

"My mother died twelve years ago."

"Yes, sir. But before she died, she left instructions that the truth must never come out."

Victoria, who had entered the hall unnoticed, suddenly spoke.

"That's enough!"

Everyone turned.

Her face had gone pale.

Mrs. Daniels stepped back.

Victoria pointed at the housekeeper.

"You're fired!"

Adrian's voice thundered through the hall.

"Nobody is going anywhere until we get the truth."

Victoria looked at him with open hatred.

"You have no idea what you're doing, Adrian."

"Then explain it."

For several seconds, she said nothing.

Then she looked at Isabella.

"Fine. You want the truth? Your biological family didn't lose you because of an accident."

Her voice dropped.

"Someone wanted their inheritance. And your disappearance made that possible."

Isabella felt sick.

"Who?"

Victoria's eyes shifted toward Adrian.

"Ask your husband why his family has spent twenty years protecting yours."