Chapter 14 - The Secret of Charlotte's Father
The Solmere Hotel was no longer a place of luxury.
It had become a crime scene.
Police filled the lobby.
Reporters surrounded the entrance.
The world finally knew Charlotte Vale was alive.
But Charlotte did not care.
She only had one question.
"My father."
Alexander sat across from her in the private office.
The same office where her family had made decisions for decades.
But now...
It felt different.
"Tell me the truth."
Alexander remained silent.
Charlotte looked at him.
"Now."
He finally spoke.
"Your father discovered Project Phoenix years ago."
Charlotte froze.
"He knew?"
Alexander nodded.
"He tried to expose them."
"And?"
Alexander looked down.
"They stopped him."
Charlotte felt her chest tighten.
"Who?"
Alexander answered quietly.
"Damian Blackwood."
The name felt heavier now.
Charlotte stood.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"Because your mother wanted you safe."
Charlotte shook her head.
"Safe?"
She laughed sadly.
"I lost my family because everyone kept secrets."
Alexander had no answer.
Charlotte walked toward the window.
Outside...
Thousands of people were watching the hotel.
The empire she inherited.
The empire people tried to steal.
But behind the success...
Was a family destroyed by greed.
Suddenly...
Charlotte's phone rang.
Unknown number.
Again.
She answered.
A man's voice spoke.
"Charlotte Vale."
She froze.
Because she recognized it.
Not from meeting him.
From old recordings.
Damian Blackwood.
"You have your mother's courage."
Charlotte tightened her grip.
"Where are you?"
A quiet laugh.
"You are asking the wrong question."
"What question should I ask?"
The voice became colder.
"Why did your mother hide the truth about you?"
Charlotte stopped.
"What does that mean?"
The call ended.
Alexander looked concerned.
"What happened?"
Charlotte slowly lowered the phone.
"Damian knows something."
Marcus looked at her.
"What?"
Charlotte whispered:
"He said my mother hid the truth about me."
Nobody spoke.
Because everyone knew.
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There was one final secret left.
And it was the secret Evelyn Vale never wanted Charlotte to discover.
