Chapter 5 - The Secret Hidden Behind the Walls
Adrian Vale's office was exactly as Charlotte remembered.
Dark wood.
Expensive paintings.
Family photographs.
A perfect image.
A perfect lie.
Adrian stood near the window.
When Charlotte entered...
He smiled.
"Charlotte."
She stared at him.
"Uncle."
The word felt different now.
Cold.
Heavy.
Adrian opened his arms.
"I'm so happy you're alive."
Charlotte didn't move.
"You knew I was alive."
His smile disappeared for half a second.
Then returned.
"Of course not."
Charlotte walked closer.
"My mother left a message."
Adrian's expression changed.
"What message?"
Charlotte watched carefully.
She had learned something.
People revealed the truth when they were afraid.
She smiled slightly.
"Interesting."
"What?"
"You didn't ask what she said."
Silence.
Adrian realized his mistake.
Charlotte turned away.
"You're not as careful as you think."
Adrian's face hardened.
"Be careful, Charlotte."
"There are things you don't understand."
She looked back.
"Like how you stole my company?"
Adrian's eyes became cold.
"You think this is a game?"
"No."
Charlotte stepped closer.
"I think you forgot who created this empire."
Adrian laughed.
"You were a child when your mother built Solmere."
Charlotte replied:
"And you were an employee."
The room went silent.
Because that was the truth.
Adrian was never the owner.
He was only someone who wanted to become one.
Then Charlotte noticed something on his desk.
A folder.
With her name on it.
She grabbed it.
Adrian reacted immediately.
"Don't touch that."
Too late.
Charlotte opened it.
Inside were documents.
Her identity.
Her inheritance.
And a forged death certificate.
Charlotte's hands trembled.
Because the document said:
Charlotte Vale had legally died six months ago.
And someone had already taken control of her entire empire.
Adrian looked at her.
"You were never supposed to come back."
Charlotte slowly looked up.
"Who helped you do this?"
Adrian smiled.
"Ask yourself a better question."
"What?"
"Who helped your mother die?"
The room went completely silent.
And Charlotte realized...
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Her mother's death was not the beginning of the betrayal.
It was only the beginning of the cover-up.
