Chapter 4 – The Secret Contract

Chapter 4: The Secret Contract

Amelia couldn't take her eyes off the old document.

Her father's signature was clearly visible at the bottom.

Beside it was another signature.

Robert Blackwood.

Alexander's father.

"Mom, what is this?" Amelia asked.

Her mother took a deep breath.

"It's an agreement your father made with Robert Blackwood many years ago."

"What kind of agreement?"

"Your father helped Robert build his business. They were partners. They trusted each other like brothers."

Amelia looked confused.

"Then what happened?"

Her mother hesitated.

"Robert promised your father that their families would always share the success of the company. But after Robert died, everything changed. Your father was accused of stealing company money."

"That's impossible! My father would never do that."

"I know, Amelia. But nobody believed us."

Amelia looked down at the document again.

At the bottom, she noticed something unusual.

A handwritten sentence appeared beneath the signatures.

If anything happens to me, protect my daughter. She is the rightful heir.

Amelia stopped breathing for a moment.

"The rightful heir to what?"

Her mother didn't answer.

The following morning, Amelia arrived at Blackwood Enterprises determined to confront Alexander.

She walked straight into his office.

"Did you know my father was your father's business partner?"

Alexander slowly put down his phone.

"Who told you?"

"My mother. I also found a document with both their signatures."

He stood up.

"Give me the document."

"No. First, tell me what it means."

Alexander walked toward the window.

"Your father owned part of this company."

Amelia stared at him.

"What?"

"Before he died, your father transferred his shares into a private trust. Nobody knows exactly where the original agreement is."

"Then why does everyone act like my family never existed?"

Alexander turned around.

"Because someone wanted it that way."

Amelia stepped closer.

"Who?"

He didn't answer.

Suddenly, the office door opened.

A man in an expensive gray suit entered without knocking.

"Alexander, we have a problem."

Alexander's expression hardened.

"Not now, Daniel."

Daniel glanced at Amelia.

"Is this her?"

Amelia frowned.

"Excuse me?"

Daniel placed a folder on the desk.

"She's the daughter of the former partner."

Alexander looked furious.

"Leave."

But Daniel didn't move.

"Your father made one mistake, Alexander. He trusted the wrong family. Don't repeat it."

Amelia looked between the two men.

"What are you talking about?"

Daniel smiled slightly.

"Ask Alexander why he hired you so quickly."

He turned and left.

The room became silent.

Amelia looked at Alexander.

"Did you hire me because of my father?"

Alexander didn't deny it.

"I needed to know if you had the documents."

Her heart sank.

"So this job was never about my qualifications?"

"Amelia, it's more complicated than that."

She picked up her bag.

"Then explain it."

Alexander moved toward her.

"Please. Just give me time."

She looked at him one last time.

"You've had twenty years. I think I've waited long enough."

Amelia walked out.

Alexander remained alone in his office.

He opened the drawer and removed an old photograph of two little girls standing together.

One was his younger sister.

The other was Amelia.

On the back was a date.

Twenty years ago.

And beneath it, a sentence written by his father:

Never let Amelia discover what really happened to her sister.

Alexander closed his eyes.

There was another secret.

And this one was far more dangerous than the first.

End of Chapter 4.