Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 41 - Chapitre 50

Ethan sat across from Samuel in the conference room, the completed divorce documents between them. Samuel had already gone through the final pages carefully, checking the signatures, the financial settlement and the clauses concerning their separation before finally closing the folder.“Everything is in order,” Samuel said. “You've signed the final documents, and Sophia has signed hers. I'll send the completed papers to her today and proceed with the filing.”Ethan nodded. “Good.”Samuel studied him for a moment. “Are you sure you're comfortable?”“I've never been more certain about anything.”“You don't want to reconsider?”Ethan shook his head. “There is nothing to reconsider.”Samuel leaned back. “Then it's finished.”Ethan released a slow breath.“Finally.”Samuel gave him a faint smile. “I'll have the completed documents sent to Sophia immediately. You'll receive a copy once everything is formally processed.”“Thank you.”Ethan stood, but Samuel stopped him.“One more thing.”Eth

By the time Ethan finished reviewing the documents Daniel Mercer had sent him, the afternoon light had faded across his apartment windows. He closed the last file and leaned back, his attention fixed on the handwritten notes scattered across the table.The problem was no longer the appointment itself. The records showed that the executive had been appointed, the revised structure had been implemented, and the relevant departments had adjusted their reporting lines accordingly. Every action appeared to have passed through an established administrative process.What was missing was the authority that had initiated the change.Ethan reopened the appointment record and placed it beside the implementation report. The dates were close enough to suggest a connection, yet the documents did not identify the person who had approved the original structural revision. Instead, they referred to an earlier administrative instruction whose reference number led to an archive outside the collection Dan

Augustus pushed the folder towards him. Ethan opened it and found an overview of the proposed recovery project, its participating companies, and the responsibilities of the review team. The details were preliminary, but the scale was considerable. Several facilities had been losing money for years, and the group intended to determine which could be restored, which required new management, and which should be closed.Ethan was reading the second page when Augustus's phone rang.The older man checked the screen, and the ease in his expression disappeared. He answered, listened without interrupting, and asked the caller to repeat the last sentence.“When did this happen?” he asked.Another pause followed.“No. Don't authorise anything. Keep the meeting room closed and make sure nobody removes the original files. I'll be there shortly.”He ended the call and rose from his chair.Ethan closed the folder. “Is something wrong?”Augustus picked up his briefcase, but his attention remained on

At his apartment, Ethan locked the door and placed his phone on the table. The room was quiet, but his thoughts refused to settle. He opened the account provider's security page again, checked the recovery details, and took screenshots for his records. The unfamiliar secondary address remained in place.He could try to force a recovery, but without knowing who controlled that address, he risked alerting whoever had access. Instead, he followed the provider's compromised-account procedure and submitted a report. He changed passwords on his active accounts and reviewed their recovery options, then put his phone aside long enough to prepare a written statement for Helen.He read the statement twice before sending it. Every sentence described something he could honestly confirm.A message arrived from an unfamiliar number while he was saving a copy.You should leave the Sterling matter alone.Ethan read it again. There was no name, no explanation, and no de

Outside, the afternoon traffic moved in a steady stream. Ethan folded the notice into his document case and checked his phone. There was a missed call from Samuel Brooks, followed by a short message asking him to call as soon as he was free.Ethan returned the call while walking towards the car Augustus had arranged to take him home.“Good,” Samuel answered. “I was beginning to wonder whether Sterling had swallowed you whole. Any solution yet?”“The immediate problem is resolved. Their board suspended the transfer, and the evidence identifies who used my account.”“Excellent. Then we can stop spending your time on another man's mess.”Ethan heard the change in Samuel's tone. It was not quite urgency, but it was more serious than a routine check-in.“What's happened?”“Nothing bad. But it's time you visited your grandfather's estate.”Ethan slowed beside the car. “Why now?”“Because you've spent weeks trying to understand what you inherited f