Chapter 1 - THE REMOTE SHE PRETENDED NOT TO CONTROL.
Elena surfaced beside the pool ladder, wet hair across her face and panic breaking through every breath.
“Adrian! My safety line is stuck!”
Beneath the turquoise water, the soft tether had looped around the ladder support. She pulled once, but the knot tightened.
Adrian saw her through the mansion’s glass doors.
He dropped his phone, tore off his suit jacket while running, and jumped feet-first into the shallow rescue area.
“Hold on—I’m coming!”
On the patio, Victoria Vale stood beside the control pedestal in an ivory pantsuit, watching with disturbing calm.
Adrian reached Elena, supported her upper back, and began loosening the tether.
Then Victoria inserted a brass key and pressed the black remote.
A warning beep sounded.
The gray safety canopy began sliding over the pool.
“Stop the cover!” Adrian shouted.
Victoria lifted both hands.
“The controls are locked!”
One staff member ran to the pedestal.
“There’s a second remote!”
Victoria’s face froze.
Adrian freed the tether and pushed Elena toward the narrowing opening.
Before the canopy reached them, the motor stopped inches above the water.
Elena gasped against Adrian’s shoulder.
Then the second staff member looked toward the mansion’s upper balcony.
A shadow lowered another remote.
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It belonged to Adrian’s father.
The man had been declared dead six months earlier.
