Chapter 10 - THE ABDUCTION
Madeline arrived at the school in less than fifteen minutes.
Police cars surrounded the entrance.
Teachers were crying.
Parents were gathering outside.
Rachel grabbed her arm.
“Stay calm.”
“That's my son.”
“I know.”
A teacher approached.
“He was playing outside.”
“What happened?”
“He went inside for water.”
“And then?”
“He disappeared.”
Madeline's knees nearly gave out.
“Did anyone see him?”
“One person.”
“Who?”
The teacher handed her a photograph.
Madeline looked at it.
Her blood froze.
Noelle.
“She was here.”
Police confirmed the footage.
Noelle had entered through a side door.
She had approached Liam.
Then she had led him away.
But there was another problem.
Austin was missing too.
Madeline stared at Rachel.
“They took both children.”
A message arrived.
COME TO THE OLD TRAIN STATION. ALONE.
Attached was a photograph.
Liam and Austin were sitting together.
Both alive.
Madeline wanted to scream.
Rachel grabbed her phone.
“We're tracing it.”
“I don't have time.”
“You're not going alone.”
They followed the location.
The old station had been abandoned for years.
Madeline entered.
“Noelle!”
Her voice echoed.
A light turned on.
Noelle stood on the platform.
Liam and Austin were behind her.
“Let them go.”
Noelle smiled.
“You finally understand.”
“Understand what?”
“That everything was always about inheritance.”
Madeline stepped forward.
“You destroyed children for money.”
“No.”
Noelle looked at Austin.
“I destroyed adults.”
She pointed at Madeline.
“Your father betrayed me.”
“He discovered your crimes.”
“He promised me a future.”
“He had a family.”
“He chose you.”
Madeline stared.
“You were jealous of your own granddaughter?”
Noelle laughed.
“I was never his wife.”
Silence.
“What?”
Noelle's expression changed.
“I was your father's first love.”
Madeline shook her head.
“That doesn't make sense.”
“It does.”
Noelle pulled out an old photograph.
Her and Daniel.
Young.
Smiling.
Madeline felt sick.
“You were his mistress.”
“No.”
Noelle smiled.
“I was his partner.”
Then she revealed the final secret.
Daniel had planned to leave everything to Madeline.
But Noelle had been pregnant.
With Austin.
Daniel wanted to recognize him.
That was when Noelle's obsession began.
She wanted the entire empire.
She manipulated everyone.
Even Cynthia.
Even Jeffrey.
But she hadn't planned for Madeline to return.
Madeline looked at Liam.
“Let them go.”
Noelle raised a gun.
“Give me the trust.”
“I don't control it.”
“You do.”
“No.”
Madeline looked directly into her eyes.
“Your problem is that you still think money is the most powerful thing in the world.”
Noelle frowned.
Madeline lifted her phone.
“You've been talking to me for eleven minutes.”
Noelle's face changed.
“The entire conversation is recorded.”
Police sirens echoed outside.
Rachel had already called them.
Noelle panicked.
She grabbed Liam.
But Austin stepped between them.
“No!”
Noelle shoved him.
Madeline lunged.
Police stormed the platform.
Noelle was tackled.
Liam ran into Madeline's arms.
“Mommy!”
Madeline held him tightly.
“I've got you.”
Austin began crying.
Madeline reached for him too.
Then Rachel approached.
“It's over.”
Madeline shook her head.
“No.”
May you like
She looked toward Noelle.
“Noelle is going to tell us everything.”
