Chapter 11 - Monaco
Three days later, Victoria stood outside a private villa overlooking the Mediterranean.
Charles Mercer agreed to see her.
He was older than in the photograph.
But his eyes were unchanged.
"You look like your mother," he said.
Victoria stiffened.
"You knew her."
Charles poured himself a drink.
"I loved her."
"Then tell me what happened."
He looked toward the sea.
"Evelyn discovered what your father and Eleanor were doing."
"What were they doing?"
"Stealing the company from her."
Victoria's jaw tightened.
Charles continued.
"Your mother threatened to expose them."
"And?"
"Eleanor panicked."
"Did she kill her?"
Charles looked at her.
"No."
Victoria froze.
"Then where is she?"
Charles hesitated.
"Your mother was alive when I last saw her."
Mia, standing beside Victoria, gasped.
Victoria whispered:
"Where?"
Charles gave them an address.
A small town in Oregon.
"She lived under another name."
Victoria's heart slammed against her ribs.
All these years.
May you like
Their mother might have been alive.
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