Chapter 10 · The Billionaire Heiress Chose Me

Chapter 10

Derek said, "And then, I'll finish you off. Everything the Stevens family owns will be mine!"Page's face went pale."You wouldn't dare, Derek!" she snapped."Why wouldn't I?" Derek sneered.His expression twisted with malice.Derek spat, "I've been dying to get rid of you for ages, you little bitch."If it weren't for that damn will from your father, do you really think you'd still be alive?"I watched them go at each other. In my head, I was already working out my next move.Fighting them head-on was a death wish.These guys were all hired muscle. I could not handle them solo.That well was my only shot at making it out alive.I said, "Derek, you really think killing me means you get everything?"Don't you wanna know what secret Andy hid in his will?"Derek froze for a second."What secret?" he demanded."It's a secret that'll send you, Ferris, and all your backers straight to prison," I said.I pointed at the bottom of the well.I said, "The evidence is down there.""You think I'd believe you?" Derek let out a cold laugh."Why don't you go down and see for yourself?" I said,Guiding Page, I edged us both back toward the well."You go down there, and I'll smash your legs!" Derek snarled."Then you'll never know the secret," I replied coolly.With that, I pulled Page with me and leapt into the well.We jumped into the well."You're crazy!"Derek's furious shout echoed down after us.There was a thick layer of leaves at the bottom, so our landing was pretty soft.I quickly pulled Page with me and we ducked against the side of the well, hiding ourselves."Flashlights. Shine them down here now!"Derek shouted from up top.Blinding beams of light pierced the darkness, flooding the well.The tiny bottom of the well lit up like it was broad daylight.Derek shouted, "Harding, just wait."I'm sending someone down to kill you!"Derek's voice echoed from the top of the well.I ignored him.Taking advantage of the light, I quickly cleared the leaves at my feet.The black bag came into view.I unzipped it.It wasn't evidence at all.Instead, what showed up was a heap of chilling white bones.There was also a rotten wooden board.There were two words written with blood.It read: [Save me.]Page shrieked in terror when she saw the heap of bones.I clamped a hand over her mouth."Don't make a sound!" I hissed.I knew right away that these bones belonged to all those people who'd "disappeared."Derek made sure they never talked again, then tossed them down here.'What are we gonna do?" Page muttered.Page was trembling like a leaf, scared out of her mind."We're gonna die down here..." she whimpered."Shut up!" I snapped at Page.I looked up toward the mouth of the well.They'd already dropped a rope ladder down.Two men in black were making their way down the ladder.We were running out of time.Then my eyes caught something weird on the wall of the well.There was a brick that looked way darker than the others.My hand shot out and I pushed it.With a loud rumble, the well wall shook.To my surprise, a secret door opened right in the side of the well.Beyond it lay a dark tunnel.I grabbed Page, who was still stunned, and pulled her inside."They went into the tunnel!" a startled shout came from above.I didn't bother looking back. I kept running.The tunnel was cramped and damp.I had no idea where it led.We ran for a few minutes.Then, up ahead, I saw a faint glimmer of light.It was an exit.I shoved the stone slab aside and stepped out.We ended up in a storage room.The place was crammed with junk.We were finally out."Is this the wine cellar?" Page said.Page recognized the place."Don't worry about it. Let's get out of here!" I urged.I grabbed her hand, ready to make a run for it.Then, someone pushed the door to the storage room open from outside.Eddie stood in the doorway.He still had that ever-present smile on his face.But now, he was holding a gun.The cold, black muzzle was aimed straight at us.Eddie said, "Mr. Clark, Miss Stevens."Are you two playing hide-and-seek at this hour?"*****Eddie showing up right then chilled me to the bone, even more than that pile of skeletons.That smile on his face was like a flawless mask.It hid all the murderous intent lurking beneath."Eddie, why are you here?" Page stammered."Miss Stevens, my boss asked me to keep an eye on you," Eddie said.He strolled in slowly, shutting the door behind him with a casual flick of his hand.He added, "It seems that his worries were spot on."You can't stay out of trouble, can you?""Eddie, Derek's trying to kill me!" Page blurted out.She was clutching at straws, desperate for help.She said, "He's teamed up with Ferris to take everything we have!""I know," Eddie said with a nod.His voice was so indifferent, it was as if he were talking about the weather.

Chapter 10