Chapter 9 - The Confrontation
"You... you're awake," David stammered, his face turning pale with absolute terror.
"I am awake, and I know everything," Eleanor stated, sitting up slowly.
"I know about Chloe, I know about the poison, and I know you framed Maria."
David looked wildly around the room, realizing how perfectly he had been cornered.
His survival instinct kicked in, turning his shock into violent desperation.
"It doesn't matter," he growled, pulling a small pocket knife from his belt.
"If I kill you now, I can say it was self-defense against a deranged patient."
He lunged toward the bed, raising the blade.
Before he could even take two steps, the bathroom door burst open.
Maria stepped out, her bandaged hands holding a heavy metal fire extinguisher.
She swung it with all her might, smashing it directly into David's knee.
A loud crack echoed through the room as David screamed, collapsing to the floor in agony.
At the exact same moment, Detective Vance and three armed officers stormed through the main door.
"Police! Drop the weapon!" Vance roared, his gun aimed squarely at David's chest.
David dropped the knife, clutching his shattered knee, tears of pain and defeat streaming down his face.
The officers grabbed him, dragging him roughly to his feet and snapping heavy steel cuffs onto his wrists.
"David Vance, you are under arrest for attempted murder, fraud, and conspiracy," the detective read him his rights.
As they dragged him toward the door, David looked back at his wife, expecting to see fear.
Instead, Eleanor was smiling.
"Enjoy prison, David," she said smoothly.
"I will make sure you don't get a single dime for the commissary."
The heavy door slammed shut, leaving the room quiet once again.
Maria dropped the fire extinguisher, panting heavily.
May you like
Eleanor looked at her loyal maid, tears finally welling in her eyes.
"Thank you, Maria," Eleanor whispered softly.
