Chapter 20

In the top-floor conference room of Ashford Corporation, the projector blazed to life with a searing white light. Adrianna pressed the remote, and an audio recording crackled through the speakers. James' voice came first, clear and unmistakable. "The day before the wedding, I'll arrange for a plane crash. "After that, take Ceci abroad. As for the Quinnen family, the three of you keep Adrianna busy." Nolan's low chuckle followed. "Don't worry. We'll ensure she doesn't have the strength to look for you." Reporters in the conference room erupted into chaos, camera flashes blazing furiously. Adrianna stood on stage, her expression calm and unreadable. "This was recorded a year ago," she said, clicking to the next video. The surveillance footage clearly showed Cecilia intentionally dragging her into the water, while none of the four heirs offered her any help. "And this is from the stables three months ago." Derick stepped forward, taking the remote. The screen cut to Conrad's me