Richard’s lover, Vanessa, was hidden below deck. She had promised Richard a future in which they would own the empire, and she was young, crafty, and cruel. Isabella, however, got in the way.
“What a lovely day it is.” As he came up behind Isabella, Richard said smoothly.
She gave a slight smile, but her face was darkened by fatigue. Indeed. These kinds of days make me think of my dad. The sea has a way of telling the truth, he used to remark.
Richard’s mouth quirked. He repeated, “The truth.” His hand touched hers on the railing, but his eyes were coldly calculated rather than warm.
He pushed her forward with a single, quick motion. Isabella let out a gasp and thrashed her arms before diving into the azure sea below. Her cry was drowned by the waves, and the yacht continued to sail as like nothing had occurred.
Richard stood motionless for a time, his chest heaving. Then he let out a breath, telling himself it was finished. In a whisper, he said, “Goodbye, Isabella.”
Richard was unaware, however, that Isabella had been anticipating treachery. Vanessa’s presence had been made apparent in recent weeks by murmurs in the night and sloppy scent smudges on Richard’s shirt. Isabella was ready, with a tracker fastened to her wrist and a life jacket concealed under her baggy dress.
Her eyes hardened with anger as she struggled against the water. Richard, do you think you’ve won? Grasping the tiny waterproof flare that was hidden in her pocket, she pondered.
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