CHAPTER FIVE: THE LETTER THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

Sophia’s fingers tightened around the folded note.

She read it again.

“Your father didn’t die the day you were told… and the man beside you knows why.”

Her heartbeat quickened.

She slowly looked up at Damien.

He was speaking with his security chief, unaware that she was watching him.

Or perhaps…

He was pretending not to notice.

Could he really be hiding something?

The little girl’s words echoed in her mind.

“Don’t trust Damien Blackwood.”

“Miss Kingsley?”

Damien’s voice gently pulled her back.

“The helicopter is waiting.”

Sophia forced herself to nod and climbed aboard.

The luxurious cabin was unlike anything she had ever seen.

Cream-colored leather seats.

Mahogany wood panels.

A small conference table.

A digital screen displaying maps and weather reports.

She had never imagined traveling in such comfort.

The helicopter lifted into the sky, leaving the city behind.

Sophia watched through the window as Ethan became smaller and smaller until he disappeared completely.

Seven years of marriage…

Gone in a single morning.

She expected to cry.

Instead…

She felt strangely free.

Inside the ballroom…

Ethan stood frozen, still holding the wedding ring Sophia had returned.

His assistant hurried over.

“Sir.”

“The board members are calling.”

Ethan didn’t respond.

“They’re demanding an emergency meeting.”

Still nothing.

The assistant hesitated.

“There is another problem.”

Ethan finally looked up.

“What now?”

“Blackwood Global Holdings has suspended all ongoing investments in Sterling Group.”

“What?”

“They’re also reviewing every partnership agreement.”

Ethan grabbed the report.

His face turned pale.

Within twenty minutes…

Sterling Group’s stock had dropped by twelve percent.

Phones rang nonstop.

Investors began pulling out.

The empire he had spent years building was beginning to crack.

Vanessa stormed into Ethan’s office.

“This is your fault!”

“My fault?”

“You should’ve stopped her!”

Ethan slammed his fist onto the desk.

“I didn’t know she was a Kingsley!”

Vanessa narrowed her eyes.

“Or maybe…”

“What?”

“You still love her.”

Ethan fell silent.

For the first time…

He couldn’t honestly answer.

Meanwhile…

Thirty thousand feet above the city.

Sophia finally broke the silence.

“Mr. Blackwood.”

“You can call me Damien.”

She shook her head.

“I have a question.”

“I’m listening.”

She took the folded note from her pocket.

“Did my father really die twenty-two years ago?”

The moment Damien saw the handwriting…

His expression changed.

Only for a second.

But Sophia noticed.

“You recognize this note.”

Damien remained silent.

“Answer me.”

He looked out the window.

“I recognize the handwriting.”

“Whose is it?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Why?”

“Because if I do…”

“You’ll be in greater danger than you already are.”

Sophia’s voice became firm.

“I deserve the truth.”

“You do.”

“Then tell me.”

Damien slowly closed his eyes.

“Not yet.”

Sophia looked away.

The little trust she had begun to build instantly weakened.

Two hours later…

The helicopter descended toward a breathtaking island surrounded by crystal-blue water.

Sophia’s eyes widened.

In the center of the island stood an enormous palace of white marble, overlooking the sea.

Beautiful gardens stretched for acres.

Fountains danced in the sunlight.

Private docks lined the shore, where luxury yachts floated peacefully.

As the helicopter landed, dozens of servants stood waiting in two perfect rows.

The elderly butler stepped forward, tears filling his eyes.

He bowed deeply.

“Welcome home…”

“Young Miss.”

The servants bowed together.

“Welcome home, Miss Kingsley!”

Sophia froze.

No one had ever welcomed her anywhere.

She had spent most of her childhood moving between orphanages and foster homes.

Now…

An entire household was waiting for her.

Tears filled her eyes.

The butler introduced himself.

“My name is Alfred.”

“I served your parents for over thirty years.”

He gently smiled.

“You look exactly like your mother.”

Sophia swallowed hard.

“You knew them?”

“I watched you take your first steps.”

She covered her mouth.

“You remember me?”

“I never forgot you.”

Alfred reached into his pocket and carefully removed a small velvet pouch.

“I’ve kept this for twenty-two years.”

Inside lay a delicate gold necklace shaped like a phoenix.

Sophia gasped.

Her vision blurred again.

Another memory surfaced.

Her mother fastening the necklace around her neck.

Smiling.

“Never lose this, my little phoenix.”

Sophia broke down in tears.

As Damien quietly watched from a distance…

His phone vibrated.

A secure message flashed across the screen.

MISSION UPDATE

Target Sophia Kingsley has reached the island.

Phase Two begins tonight.

The traitor inside the estate has been activated.

Damien’s face hardened.

Without anyone noticing, he deleted the message.

Then he looked toward the palace.

Someone inside the Kingsley Estate…

Was working for the Crimson Crown.

And before sunrise…

They would make their first move.

End of Chapter 5