Chapter 6
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What lies has she been feeding you?"
I scrambled backward, feigning terror, exchanged a lightning-quick glance with Nathaniel, then lunged forward and slapped Victor with all my strength.
"Who are you?! What have you done with Victor? Why are you impersonating him?!"
I retreated behind Eleanor, finger trembling as I pointed accusingly.
"Auntie, that's not Victor! My Victor would never speak to me that way!"
Victor nearly convulsed with rage, but before he could respond, Nathaniel smoothly interjected:
"Mother, Father, consider the possibility that someone underwent surgery to resemble my brother, hoping to claim his position.
The Sinclair fortune attracts all manner of predators, after all."
"Have you all lost your minds? I'm your son! YOUR SON!"
Victor Sinclair howled in desperation, frantically recounting childhood memories only the real Victor would know.
The elder Sinclairs merely exchanged troubled glances, their brows furrowing deeper.
"Restrain him—now!"
Eleanor Sinclair's command brought security personnel rushing in from all sides.
Victor's struggles and protests accomplished nothing as they dragged him away.
Once he disappeared, Eleanor turned her penetrating gaze on me.
"Iris, dear, you must be terrified. This is unfortunately the reality of being a Sinclair.
With our position comes constant threats. Please return to your room and rest."
I nodded meekly, pretending not to notice the calculation behind her concerned expression.
Back in my room, I immediately sent an encrypted message to Nathaniel and reached out to several trusted contacts.
My time in this gilded cage was running out.
At least the loan sharks were handled—I had options now.
The next morning, I discovered my door wouldn't budge—locked from the outside.
"Hello? Is anyone there?"
A servant answered promptly.
"Miss Blackwood, Madam instructed us to ensure you remain comfortable in your room until they return."
My blood ran cold—they'd gone for DNA testing.
My phone vibrated with a message from Nathaniel.
"Results confirmed. No time to alter them.
Escape immediately. They're discussing your elimination."
My pulse thundered as cold sweat broke across my skin.
The crunch of tires on gravel announced their return.
Minutes later, the lock mechanism clicked.
"Iris Blackwood! Out. NOW."
Victor shoved the door open and seized my arm, dragging me roughly down the grand staircase.
He threw me to the marble floor of the great room, where the elder Sinclairs sat enthroned like judges at a tribunal.
"Who sent you? Who else is involved in this scheme?"
I raised my head, eyes brimming with tears, focusing only on Victor.
