Chapter 18 - The Final Betrayal
I thought the biggest betrayal of my life was Grant.
I was wrong.
The biggest betrayal came from someone who had helped us.
Someone who stood beside me during the investigation.
Someone who knew every weakness in our defense.
Daniel.
The moment I saw the security alert, I knew.
A Bluebird access attempt.
From inside the system.
Only three people had that level of permission.
Me.
Daniel.
And Evelyn.
My heart sank.
I confronted him alone.
"Why?"
Daniel did not deny it.
That hurt more than anything.
He simply looked tired.
"I never wanted it to happen this way."
I stared at him.
"How long?"
"Since before your father died."
The room felt silent.
Daniel explained the truth.
He had not worked for Marcus.
He had worked for my father.
But Alexander had created a final contingency.
A test.
Daniel was instructed to observe me.
To see whether I could lead the empire.
Not through wealth.
Through decisions.
Through sacrifice.
"Your father wanted to know if you were truly ready."
I felt anger rise.
"Ready?"
My voice broke.
"You let me believe everyone I loved betrayed me."
Daniel lowered his head.
"I was wrong."
But then he revealed the final truth.
The access attempt was not him stealing Bluebird.
It was him activating the final protection.
Because Marcus had one last plan.
A hidden legal attack.
A way to remove me from Ellie’s guardianship.
The final battle would happen in court.
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And everything depended on one question.
Was I truly the protector Ellie needed?
