vignette
"""His Fiancée Pressed a Pillow Over His Mother’s Face / Chapter 8 / 11

Chapter 8 - Blood and Blackmail

Naomi inserted the USB drive into the standalone laptop Marcus kept disconnected from the manor’s local network.

The screen flickered to life. A single video file appeared, timestamped seven months earlier at 11:42 PM.

She pressed play.

The grainy camera angle revealed the master study from high above the corner bookshelf. Marcus Vale sat at his desk, visibly frail, rubbing his chest in discomfort. The study door opened, and Celeste entered wearing a silk robe, carrying a steaming porcelain cup on a silver saucer.

*"You need to rest, Marcus,"* Celeste’s voice rang through the laptop speakers with chilling sweetness. *"The doctors said your tea will settle the palpitations."*

*"It smells bitter tonight, Celeste,"* Marcus’s voice was tired, weary.

*"It's chamomile and valerian root, darling. Drink it down."*

The video showed Marcus drinking half the cup before grimacing and pushing it away. Within three minutes, the change was horrifying. Marcus’s hands began to shake uncontrollably. He tried to reach for the telephone on his desk, but Celeste smoothly reached out and disconnected the cord from the wall jack.

Marcus collapsed forward, his head striking the mahogany surface, his breath turning into a ragged, choking gasp.

Celeste didn't panic. She didn't scream for help.

She picked up the teacup, carried it to the private washroom adjoining the study, and thoroughly rinsed it in the sink. Then, returning to the desk, she checked Marcus’s carotid pulse with two clinical, practiced fingers.

The video recorded her picking up her personal phone and dialing.

*"Malcolm?"* Celeste had said into the receiver, her voice utterly devoid of emotion. *"It's done. Heart failure will be certified without an autopsy. Start preparing the documents for Adrian. The boy won't suspect a thing."*

Naomi closed the laptop, her hands shaking so violently she could barely latch the screen.

It wasn't just attempted murder of Evelyn. It was cold-blooded, premeditated murder of Marcus Vale. Celeste had eliminated the father, groomed the son, and was now exterminating the mother to claim the empire.

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Behind her, the study doors swung open with a soft, ominous click.

***

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Chapter 9 - Countdown to Sunset
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