MasukI couldn’t stop looking at the photograph.My father stood outside our old family home, holding a folder against his chest. The date on the back was the night he died.Someone knew what had happened that evening.And they wanted me to know that Damien and my mother weren’t the only people connected to it.“Let’s go,” I said.Damien picked up his keys. “I’ll call Bennett on the way.”“No. Call him first. I don’t want us touching anything until he’s there.”He studied me for a moment before nodding.“You’re right.”An hour later, Bennett met us outside the house. The building looked smaller than I remembered, its pale walls weathered by years of neglect. Yet the moment I stepped through the gate, childhood memories came rushing back.My father teaching me to ride a bicycle in the driveway.My mother calling us inside for dinner.Adrian standing beside me at a family gathering, promising that one day we’d have a home of our own.I pushed the last memory away.This house had once represen
I barely slept that night.Every time I closed my eyes, Daniel’s words returned.Ask your husband why Thomas believed the marriage between you and Adrian had to be stopped.By morning, my questions had multiplied.Damien found me standing beside the bedroom window.“You haven’t slept,” he said.“Neither have you, judging by your face.”He stopped a few steps away. “You wanted answers. I’m ready to give them.”“Then tell me why my father wanted me to call off my wedding.”Damien took a breath.“About a month before he died, Thomas told me he suspected Adrian was sharing confidential company information with Richard. He believed they were planning something that could affect your shares.”My stomach tightened.“Did he have proof?”“Not enough. He wanted to gather evidence before confronting Adrian.”“And what did you tell him?”“That I didn’t trust Adrian with your future.”I looked away, remembering how confidently I’d once believed in my former fiancé.“Why didn’t you tell me?”“I did
“If you’ve found the access record, you already know Adrian wasn’t the only person who entered this room that night.”The stranger’s words settled over us.I tightened my grip on the document.“Who else came here?”He glanced at Damien before looking at me.“Someone who had more to lose than Adrian.”“Stop speaking in riddles,” I snapped. “Tell me who you are and what you know about my father.”“My name is Daniel Reeves. I used to manage records for Hart Industries.”Bennett stepped forward. “Do you have identification?”Daniel produced a company identification card, old and worn at the edges. Bennett examined it before handing it back.“Why are you here?” Damien asked.Daniel’s expression hardened.“Because someone called me this morning and told me the original records had been disturbed.”My stomach tightened.“Who called you?”“I don’t know. The number was blocked.”“Then how did you know we’d be here?”“I didn’t know it would be you. I was told someone was searching for the merge
By nine the next morning, Bennett had located the address of Hart Industries’ original headquarters.The building stood in an older business district, several streets away from the glass towers that now dominated the city. Its faded sign was barely visible above a row of shuttered windows.I stared at it through the car window.“My father built his company here?”Damien nodded. “This was where he started. Before the expansion, before the merger, before Richard became involved.”I glanced at him. “You knew him back then?”“Not well. I was younger, and our families weren’t close. I visited once or twice with my father.”The mention of Richard made my stomach tighten.Bennett joined us at the entrance, carrying the evidence bag containing the brass key.“The property records show that the building changed ownership several years ago,” he explained. “We’ll need permission to inspect the basement. We shouldn’t force our way inside or disturb anything.”“I understand,” I said. “But I need t
“What key, Damien?”My question hung between us.He glanced at Bennett and my mother before returning his attention to me.“Can we talk privately?”“No. If this concerns my father’s death, I want the truth now.”His jaw tightened.“Thomas gave me a key several weeks before he died.”My heart stumbled.“You told me you never received anything from him.”“I said I never received the agreement. I didn’t know the key was connected to it.”“Then why didn’t you tell me?”“Because I didn’t understand its significance.”“Where is it?”“At my penthouse. In my safe.”I stared at him, hurt replacing my initial shock.“You’ve had it all this time?”“Yes. Your father told me to keep it secure and not use it unless he contacted me again.”“And after he died?”“I kept it. I didn’t know what it opened.”I looked away, struggling to process another secret.“You should have told me.”“You’re right,” he said quietly. “I should have.”His immediate admission caught me off guard, but it didn’t erase my di
“The original agreement?” I repeated. My mother nodded, her fingers trembling against the table. “Your father discovered that Richard intended to use the merger to gain control of Hart Industries. He wanted to stop him before the agreement became permanent.” Richard laughed coldly. “That’s a convenient story, considering Thomas isn’t here to defend himself.” “Don’t speak about my father like that,” I snapped. “Elena,” my mother whispered, “please let me finish.” She took a shaky breath. “The night your father died, he told me he had found evidence that Richard was using your shares to secure control of the company. He planned to give the original documents to Damien because he believed Damien could help protect you.” Every eye turned toward Damien. “Did you receive anything from Thomas?” I asked. “No.” “Did he tell you where he kept the agreement?” “No, Elena. I never saw it.” Richard tapped his fingers against the table. “This is absurd. Thomas was under pressure, and







