Chapter 6 — The Man Who Knew Her Name

Lena’s heart pounded as she stared through the glass doors.

The man outside stood perfectly still.

He was dressed in a black suit, his hands tucked inside his coat pockets. He didn’t look like someone who had come to visit a company.

He looked like someone who had come looking for a person.

And that person was her.

“Who is he?” Lena whispered.

Alexander didn’t take his eyes off the man.

“I don’t know.”

Lena looked at him.

“You said they found me.”

“I said someone found you. I never said I knew who sent him.”

Elena stepped closer.

“I know him.”

Alexander immediately turned.

“You do?”

Elena nodded slowly.

“That’s Marcus Hale.”

The name seemed to change the atmosphere.

Alexander’s face became tense.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Lena looked between them.

“Who is Marcus Hale?”

Elena lowered her voice.

“He worked for our father.”

Lena’s eyes widened.

“Our father?”

“Yes.”

Before anyone could say more, the lobby lights suddenly flickered.

The security guards looked toward the entrance.

Then the glass doors opened.

Marcus walked inside.

His eyes moved across the lobby until they stopped on Lena.

He smiled.

“Lena Reyes.”

Hearing her full name from a stranger made her skin crawl.

Alexander stepped in front of her.

“You need to leave.”

Marcus ignored him.

“I've been looking for her for twenty years.”

Elena moved beside Lena.

“You shouldn't be here.”

Marcus smiled.

“And yet here I am.”

Alexander looked at security.

“Get him out.”

Two guards approached Marcus.

But Marcus simply raised his hand.

“Before you do that, perhaps Lena deserves to hear what happened to her father.”

Lena froze.

Alexander looked at her.

“Don't listen to him.”

“Why?”

“Because he wants you to believe his version of the story.”

Marcus laughed softly.

“Of course he does.”

Lena looked at him.

“What do you know about my father?”

Marcus's smile disappeared.

“I know he didn't die in an accident.”

The room became silent.

Lena felt as though the floor had disappeared beneath her.

“What?”

“Your father was killed.”

Elena closed her eyes.

Marcus continued.

“He discovered something he shouldn't have.”

“What did he discover?”

Marcus looked at Alexander.

“That is the question you should ask him.”

Lena turned toward Alexander.

“Do you know?”

Alexander hesitated.

That was enough.

“You know,” Lena whispered.

“I know part of it.”

“Then tell me.”

“Not here.”

“Why not?”

“Because if Marcus is here, it means this building isn't safe anymore.”

Marcus smiled.

“Smart man.”

Suddenly, one of the security guards rushed toward them.

“Sir!”

Alexander turned.

“What?”

“The parking area has been compromised.”

Alexander’s expression hardened.

“How many?”

“Three vehicles. We don't know how many men.”

Elena grabbed Lena’s arm.

“We have to go.”

Alexander nodded.

“Back exit.”

They quickly moved toward the private elevator.

Lena looked over her shoulder.

Marcus remained in the lobby.

He wasn't following them.

He was simply watching.

And somehow, that was even more frightening.

The elevator doors closed.

For several seconds, nobody spoke.

Lena looked at Alexander.

“You knew this would happen.”

“No.”

“You knew someone was looking for me.”

“Yes.”

“And you still let me come here?”

“I thought my company would be safer than anywhere else.”

Lena laughed bitterly.

“Apparently not.”

Alexander looked at her.

“I was wrong.”

The elevator reached the basement.

They stepped out into a private parking area.

A black SUV was waiting.

“Get inside,” Alexander ordered.

Lena stopped.

“What about Elena?”

“She’s coming with us.”

They entered the vehicle.

Alexander sat in the driver's seat while Elena sat beside Lena.

The car sped out through a private exit.

For several minutes, Lena watched the city disappear behind them.

Her mind was filled with questions.

“Where are we going?”

“My house.”

“No.”

Alexander glanced at her through the mirror.

“It has security.”

“I don't want to hide anymore.”

“This isn't about hiding.”

“Then what is it about?”

“Surviving.”

The word silenced her.

Elena placed a hand over Lena’s.

“I know you're scared.”

Lena looked at her.

“I don't even know who I am anymore.”

“You're still my little sister.”

Lena smiled faintly.

“It's strange hearing that.”

Elena smiled back.

“You'll get used to it.”

For the first time that day, Lena felt a small sense of comfort.

But it didn't last long.

The SUV suddenly slowed.

Alexander looked at the road.

“What happened?” Elena asked.

“Traffic.”

Lena looked ahead.

There were several cars stopped in front of them.

Alexander's hands tightened around the steering wheel.

“This isn't normal.”

He quickly turned the vehicle around.

A loud bang suddenly came from behind them.

Lena screamed.

“What was that?”

“A warning shot,” Alexander said.

Elena grabbed Lena.

“Get down!”

Alexander accelerated.

Another loud sound echoed through the street.

The SUV swerved.

Lena held onto Elena as panic filled her chest.

“Alexander!”

“I've got you.”

He turned sharply into a narrow side road.

The vehicle bounced over the uneven pavement before finally reaching an empty industrial area.

Alexander stopped behind a large warehouse.

Everyone remained silent.

After a few seconds, he looked around.

“No one followed us.”

Lena slowly sat up.

“Are we safe?”

“For now.”

Alexander got out.

“Stay inside.”

Lena watched him walk around the vehicle.

He checked the tires, then looked toward the road.

Elena whispered,

“Lena.”

“Yes?”

“There is something else you need to know.”

Lena turned toward her.

“What?”

Elena took a deep breath.

“Your father left something for you.”

Lena frowned.

“What?”

“A letter.”

“Where is it?”

Elena reached into her bag and pulled out a small envelope.

Lena stared at it.

Her name was written across the front.

Lena Reyes.

Her hands trembled as she took it.

“When did he write this?”

“Before he died.”

Lena stared at the envelope.

“Why didn't you give it to me earlier?”

“Because I was waiting until I knew you were strong enough.”

Lena carefully opened it.

Inside was a single sheet of paper.

She unfolded it.

Her father's handwriting was neat and elegant.

The first line made her heart stop.

Lena, if you're reading this, then the people I feared have finally found you.

She continued reading.

There is something you must know.

The person responsible for everything that happened to our family is someone you may already know.

Lena's eyes widened.

She looked at Elena.

“What does this mean?”

Elena shook her head.

“I don't know.”

Lena continued.

Do not trust anyone completely.

Not even the man protecting you.

Her eyes slowly moved toward the final line.

Especially Alexander Veyron.

Lena stopped breathing.

Outside the vehicle, Alexander was standing only a few feet away.

He looked directly at her.

And somehow, Lena knew he had seen the letter.

She slowly lowered it.

Alexander opened the car door.

“What did your father write?”

Lena stared at him.

For the first time since meeting him, she didn't know whether she wanted him closer—

or farther away.

She held up the letter.

“Why did my father tell me not to trust you?”

Alexander's face went completely pale.

Then he whispered,

“Because he knew the truth about my family.”