Chapter 13
Just as Christopher was about to toss the tape recorder into the trash, Ezra stepped forward. “Wait. I want to hear what’s on it.”
The Ramsey family’s words had actually reminded him of something–Gianna had deliberately placed the recorder inside a gift box, out in the open. There had to be a reason.
“What’s there to hear? It’s probably just her cursing us. That’s bad luck. Just throw it away.” Maya reacted strangely.
She abruptly stood up, reaching for the recorder with an anxious expression. It was so unlike her usual calm and composed self.
“Stop!”
Ezra wasn’t about to let her do as she pleased. He blocked her path immediately. As the two struggled, Ezra managed to press the play button.
A burst of static filled the room, followed by a sickeningly arrogant voice.
“Gianna, how about you kneel and beg me? If you do, I might convince Dad to forgive you.”
Maya’s voice in the recording was anything but timid. She sounded brazen, arrogant, and dripping with superiority.
“I’m really curious, though… Why don’t you just drop dead right now? Is it fun to live like some abandoned puppy?
“Once you’re dead, I’ll send your father to join you. That way, you two can have a little family reunion in hell. After that, everything in this house will be mine.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of your little brother and that childhood sweetheart of yours. You know, they trust me so much that it doesn’t matter what I say, they’ll believe it.”
“Especially your dear old dad. A few sweet words, and he spoils me like I’m his real daughter. He’s by far the easiest fool to manipulate.
“Do you know he actually helped me trick your brother into thinking I donated blood to save his life? Hahaha! I can’t believe someone could be that stupid!
“Alright, your brother is calling me. I’ll play with you later after the banquet. I’ll make sure you can’t even stay in the attic anymore. You’ll be crawling into the basement like a sewer rat. Hehehe—”
The recording was then cut off. A suffocating silence fell over the room.
Gabriel stood frozen, his entire body trembling as he stared at Maya with absolute shock. Even his face was drained of color. Christopher’s face, however, turned an alarming
shade of red.
He had abandoned his own biological daughter for Maya. He had done everything for her–even gone to the public agency to formally adopt her–only to find out she had been scheming to kill him and take over everything.
Even Ezra hadn’t expected the recording to contain such a horrifying truth. If not for this tape, would any of them have believed that these words truly came from Maya’s mouth? Had she endured this much injustice all along?
The thought sent a sharp pain through Ezra’s chest. His vision blurred as his eyes reddened, and he clamped a hand over his mouth, trying to suppress the overwhelming nausea. But the tears wouldn’t stop falling.
“Christopher, please… listen to me! This isn’t what it sounds like! That recording is fake! Gianna made it up to frame me!” Maya’s voice was frantic as she struggled to explain.
But the sweat dripping from her forehead and the sheer panic in her eyes had already betrayed her.
“You lying snake! You still dare to deny it?” Christopher snapped.
Like a volcano erupting, he lunged at her, pinning her to the ground as his fists rained down on her face blow after blow, with unrestrained fury.
