The Twist of Fate のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 20

Lucy couldn't sleep that night. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw those pill bottles arranged in the garden like a warning. Like a promise of what was coming.William had insisted she move into the room adjoining his, for safety. The police had been called about the garden display, but without concrete evidence of who was behind it, there was little they could do. They'd taken the pill bottles as evidence and promised increased patrols around the property.Lucy knew it wasn't enough.She was staring at the ceiling when her phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number: [Your stepmother is hosting lunch tomorrow at the Plaza. You've been invited. Come alone if you want answers about Catherine.]Lucy sat up, her heart pounding. She should tell William. Should show him the message. But something stopped her. It was a growing certainty that whoever was sending these messages wanted her to confide in William, to drive a wedge between them and everyone around them.Instead, she texted b

The applause was still echoing when Lucy noticed her. A striking woman with honey-blonde hair moved through the crowd with practiced grace, heading straight for them."William," the woman said, her voice smooth as silk. "That was quite a performance."William's body went rigid. "Victoria. I didn't know you were in town.""I wouldn't miss the Ashcroft Foundation fundraiser." Victoria's eyes shifted to Lucy, assessing. "And you must be the new Mrs. Ashcroft. I'm Victoria Monroe."Lucy's stomach dropped. William's ex-fiancée."It's nice to meet you," Lucy managed."Is it?" Victoria's smile was cold. "I was surprised when I heard William had remarried. So quickly after…well, after everything.""There is no 'us,'" William said flatly. "There hasn't been for three years.""Has it been that long?" Victoria tilted her head. "It feels like yesterday we were planning our future. Before the accident, of course.""If you'll excuse us," Lucy said coolly, "my husband and I have other guests to gree

Lucy woke to sunlight streaming through the windows and the smell of coffee. For a moment, she forgot where she was, then memories flooded back. After analyzing the security footage until three in the morning, she and William had fallen asleep in his study, exhausted and no closer to proving the video was fake.She sat up, finding William already awake, staring at his laptop screen with dark circles under his eyes."Did you sleep at all?" Lucy asked."An hour, maybe." William didn't look up. "I've been going through Brad's files. Everything he had access to—finances, security systems, medical records. If he's behind this, there has to be a trail.""And?""Nothing. Everything's clean. Too clean, maybe." William finally looked at her, frustration etched on his face. "Either Brad's innocent, or he's the most meticulous criminal I've ever encountered."Lucy moved to stand behind him, looking at the screen. "What about Victoria's evidence? The messages she showed us?""I sent them to a for

The police station smelled like bad coffee and fluorescent lighting. Lucy sat beside William, wrapped in a blanket someone had given her, watching through the two-way mirror as detectives interrogated Victoria."She's not talking," Detective Morris said, entering the room. "Lawyered up the second we got her processed. But we have Brad's recording. That's enough to hold her on attempted murder, extortion, conspiracy…""What about Mirabel?" William interrupted. "Victoria admitted they were working together.""We've issued a warrant for her arrest. She's not at her residence. We're checking known associates and family," Morris paused. "Your father-in-law's house is being searched now."Lucy's heart lurched. "My father, is he safe?""Officers are on scene. We'll know soon." Morris's radio crackled. He listened, his expression darkening. "I need to take this."He left them alone. William took Lucy's hand, and she noticed he was shaking."The adrenaline's wearing off," he said, almost to hi

Three days after the warehouse fire, Lucy sat in a hospital room watching her father sleep. The doctors said he'd recover—broken ribs, a concussion, severe dehydration. But the emotional wounds would take longer to heal.William appeared in the doorway, holding two cups of coffee. He moved slowly, back in the wheelchair. The strain of the past few days had undone months of physical therapy progress."Any change?" he asked quietly."Not yet." Lucy took the coffee gratefully. "The detective came by earlier. Said Mirabel and Victoria are both refusing to talk. Isabel's lawyer is claiming she was coerced, that she feared for her life.""Of course she is." William's voice was bitter. He looked exhausted, hollowed out. "Brad?""Still cooperating. He gave them everything: financial records, communication logs, locations of offshore accounts." Lucy paused. "He keeps asking to see you.""I'm not ready.""I know."They sat in silence, the weight of everything crushing down on them. The mansion