The Millionaire’s Bride Mocked a Poor Maid—She Never Expected What Happened Next
Chapter 7
Beatrice confessed that she had known Richard was hiding something.
She had not known about Samuel’s death.
But she knew the Hawthorne family had destroyed people who threatened their fortune.
She had married William because she believed wealth would protect her.
Instead, she discovered that wealth had made her a prisoner.
Anna did not forgive her immediately.
Nor did she try.
The truth required more than an apology.
They needed proof strong enough to survive a trial.
William sent a secret message to a magistrate in the neighboring county.
The magistrate agreed to investigate.
But Richard discovered their plan.
That night, the manor gates were locked.
Several armed men arrived.
William ordered Anna and Beatrice into the library.
“Stay here.”
Anna shook her head.
“No.”
“You’re in danger.”
“So are you.”
William looked at her.
Then he smiled faintly.
“You really are Samuel Reed’s daughter.”
The doors downstairs burst open.
Men entered the manor.
Richard’s voice echoed through the hall.
“William!”
No answer.
“Give me the ledger.”
William whispered:
“There’s a passage behind the shelves.”
Anna found it.
They escaped into the old servant corridor.
Beatrice followed.
Behind them, Richard’s men searched the library.
The three reached the chapel.
Anna remembered the hidden chest.
Inside it was the original inheritance agreement.
She also found a second sealed envelope.
The seal belonged to Elias.
She opened it.
Inside was a statement naming Richard as the person responsible for the forged debts.
There was also a final sentence.
“If Samuel disappears, Richard Hawthorne is to be held responsible.”
Anna looked up.
“We have him.”
But William shook his head.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because Richard knows we have this.”
A gunshot sounded in the distance.
The chapel doors shook.
Richard had found them.
