Chapter 15: The Last Witness

The sound of the door crashing open echoed through the small cottage.

Gabriel Stone instinctively stepped backward, clutching the old cassette tape tightly against his chest.

Three masked figures entered.

The tallest one pointed a silenced pistol at him.

"We know what Isabella gave you."

Gabriel's voice remained calm despite the fear in his eyes.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

The man laughed.

"You've been saying that for twenty years."

The second intruder began searching the cottage, throwing books from shelves and opening every drawer.

Furniture crashed to the floor.

Pictures shattered.

The room was quickly reduced to chaos.

The third intruder approached Gabriel.

"Give us the tape."

Gabriel shook his head.

"No."

"You still think they'll make it here in time?"

Gabriel smiled faintly.

"They're closer than you think."

The masked man frowned.

"What did you say?"

Before Gabriel could answer, the sound of police sirens echoed faintly in the distance.

The intruders looked at one another.

"Someone called the police."

The leader cursed.

"Leave him."

"But the tape—"

"We don't have time."

One of the intruders grabbed Gabriel by the collar.

"This isn't over."

They disappeared through the back door just as the sirens grew louder.

Gabriel collapsed into a chair, breathing heavily.

He looked at the cassette tape.

"They've finally come for it."

---

Hours later, Alexander's private jet landed near the coastal town.

Daniel was already waiting with two security vehicles.

"We're ten minutes from Gabriel Stone's address."

Alexander nodded.

"Let's move."

Sophia sat quietly beside him.

She had barely spoken during the flight.

Alexander noticed.

"Nervous?"

She nodded.

"What if he really knows what happened?"

"Then today changes everything."

She looked out the window.

"I've spent my whole life searching for answers."

Alexander looked at her.

"And whatever we find..."

"We face it together."

Sophia looked at him, surprised.

The words came naturally.

There was no contract in them.

No obligation.

Just sincerity.

She smiled softly.

"Together."

---

When they arrived at the cottage, police cars surrounded the property.

Sophia's heart sank.

"We're too late."

Alexander quickly approached an officer.

"What happened?"

"There was a break-in."

"Is the owner alive?"

The officer nodded.

"Barely."

Sophia sighed with relief.

---

Inside, Gabriel Stone sat wrapped in a blanket.

He looked exhausted.

The moment he saw Sophia, tears filled his eyes.

"You..."

Sophia frowned.

"Do you know me?"

Gabriel smiled sadly.

"You have your mother's eyes."

Sophia's throat tightened.

"You knew my mother?"

"I promised Isabella I'd protect the truth until you were ready."

Alexander stepped closer.

"We need answers."

Gabriel nodded slowly.

"I know."

He looked around the room before lowering his voice.

"They've been watching me for years."

"Who?"

"The people who destroyed your families."

Sophia leaned forward.

"My father said you witnessed my mother's death."

Gabriel nodded.

"I did."

The room became silent.

Alexander asked quietly,

"Was it really an accident?"

Gabriel's eyes darkened.

"No."

Sophia's breathing stopped.

"What happened?"

Gabriel took a deep breath.

"That night, Isabella arranged to meet someone."

"Who?"

"She never told me the name."

"But she said the meeting would end everything."

He looked down.

"I followed her because I was worried."

"What did you see?"

Gabriel closed his eyes, remembering.

"I saw her arguing with someone near the old Blackwood warehouse."

Sophia gripped the edge of her chair.

"Who was it?"

"I couldn't see clearly."

"The lights were off."

"There was heavy rain."

Alexander frowned.

"So you never saw the person's face?"

Gabriel slowly shook his head.

"No."

Sophia's hope faded.

"But..."

Gabriel continued.

"I heard their voice."

Alexander and Sophia exchanged a glance.

"You recognized it?"

Gabriel nodded.

"I've never forgotten it."

Sophia whispered,

"Who was it?"

Gabriel hesitated.

"The voice belonged to..."

Suddenly—

BANG!

The cottage window exploded.

Glass flew across the room.

Alexander immediately pulled Sophia to the floor.

"Get down!"

A second shot struck the wall behind them.

Police officers rushed toward the windows.

"Sniper!"

Chaos erupted.

Gabriel tried to stand.

"I have to tell you—"

A third shot rang out.

Gabriel staggered backward.

Blood spread across his shirt.

"Gabriel!"

Sophia rushed to him despite Alexander's warning.

Gabriel grabbed her hand tightly.

His breathing became shallow.

"They..."

He coughed painfully.

"...can't..."

Sophia fought back tears.

"Please."

"Tell me who it was."

Gabriel looked directly into her eyes.

With his last strength, he whispered a single name.

Sophia's face turned completely pale.

"No..."

Alexander looked at her.

"What did he say?"

Before Sophia could answer, Gabriel's hand fell limp.

The last witness was gone.

Outside, the sniper had disappeared without a trace.

Sophia stood frozen, unable to speak.

Alexander gently held her shoulders.

"Sophia."

She slowly looked up at him.

Tears streamed down her face.

"If Gabriel was telling the truth..."

Her voice broke.

"...then everything we've believed is wrong."

Alexander's heart sank.

"Who did he name?"

Sophia swallowed hard.

The name still echoed in her mind.

The one person she had never imagined.

The one person who had been by her side since the beginning.

She whispered,

"...Emily."

Alexander froze.

His trusted executive assistant.

The woman who had welcomed Sophia to Blackwood Mansion on her very first day.

The woman who always seemed kind.

The woman who had quietly warned Sophia to "be careful in this house."

If Gabriel's final words were true...

Then Emily wasn't trying to protect Sophia.

She had been watching her all along.