Chapter 20: The Reckoning
The plan was risky—some would call it suicidal.
Elara sat at the edge of the safehouse table, her fingers tracing the Roth estate blueprint.
"We strike during the gala," she said, voice low and steady. "Every Roth, every supporter, every shadow hiding behind them—they'll all be there."
Natalia folded her arms. "I'll get you in through the service entrance. But once we're inside... you're on your own."
Dominic nodded. "The files we planted in the Interpol system will go public at midnight."
Aaron checked his watch. "Then the world learns who the Roths really are."
Night fell fast.
Elara stood before the mirror in a sleek black dress, her eyes like flint. Aaron approached, adjusting his cufflinks, jaw tight.
"This is it," he said.
She turned to him. "No turning back."
Aaron cupped her face gently. "If something happens to me—"
"Don't," Elara cut him off. "We walk out of this together. Or we burn it all down trying."
The Roth estate gleamed with gold and power.
Elara walked through its doors, arm-in-arm with Aaron, flanked discreetly by Dominic and Natalia.
Inside, champagne flowed. Politicians, CEOs, and criminals in tailored suits toasted their unseen sins.
And at the center of it all—Richard Hart.
Elara's uncle stood laughing, unaware his past was about to catch up with him.
She approached him, heart pounding.
"Elara?" he said, stunned. "What are you doing here?"
She smiled coldly. "Finishing what my mother started."
Then the lights flickered.
A booming voice filled the hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen... your sins have been made public."
Screens around the ballroom flashed images—bank transfers, murders, child trafficking rings, names and faces exposed.
Chaos erupted.
Richard lunged at Elara.
"You ungrateful little—!"
Aaron tackled him, pinning him to the ground as Interpol agents swarmed the room.
Dominic fought off a guard who tried to grab Natalia.
In the end, it was Elara who stood over her uncle, her voice unwavering.
"You taught me power was everything," she said. "Now I have mine back."
When the dust settled, dozens were arrested.
Interpol shook Elara's hand. "Without your bravery, none of this would have seen the light."
Elara only looked at Leo, safe in her arms.
"That's all that ever mattered."