Chapter 12 - THE BETRAYAL CLOSEST TO HOME
The room became completely silent.
Alexander looked at Michael.
Michael looked back.
Neither man spoke.
The image on the screen remained frozen.
A younger Michael standing behind Victoria.
Watching.
Listening.
Knowing.
Alexander’s voice was quiet.
“Explain.”
Michael didn’t move.
“Sir…”
“Explain.”
The second time was different.
Not anger.
Disappointment.
And somehow that was worse.
Michael slowly sat down.
“I can explain.”
Alexander stared at him.
“Then do it.”
Michael looked at the floor.
“I was twenty-eight.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
Michael swallowed.
“I was working for your father.”
Alexander frowned.
“What?”
“Before I worked for you.”
The room became still.
Michael continued.
“Your father hired me because he didn’t trust people around him.”
Alexander looked confused.
“Then why were you with Victoria?”
“Because I was investigating her.”
The answer surprised everyone.
Lauren looked at him.
“What?”
Michael nodded.
“I wasn’t helping her.”
He pointed at the screen.
“I was collecting evidence.”
Alexander didn’t relax.
“Then why didn’t you tell me?”
Michael looked at him.
“Because your father told me not to.”
The words stopped Alexander.
“My father?”
“Yes.”
Michael opened another file.
“He knew Victoria was dangerous.”
He showed a letter.
“He told me if anything happened to him, I needed to protect you.”
Alexander read the letter.
The handwriting matched.
His father.
Protect Alexander. Do not let Victoria control him.
Michael continued.
“I tried to expose her.”
“Then why didn’t you?”
“Because she threatened you.”
Alexander looked up.
“What?”
“She knew I was investigating.”
Michael’s voice became quiet.
“She told me if I spoke, she would destroy you.”
“How?”
“She had information about your company.”
Alexander stared.
“She could have caused a collapse.”
Michael nodded.
“And after your father died, I stayed close because I was waiting for the right moment.”
Alexander looked at him.
“Three years.”
Michael lowered his head.
“I failed you.”
The words were honest.
And that made them heavier.
Alexander walked toward the window.
His entire life felt like a puzzle.
Every person he trusted had hidden something.
But one thing was clear.
Michael wasn’t the enemy.
He was another person trapped by Victoria’s control.
Then Lauren’s phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
Her face changed.
“Who is it?”
She whispered:
“Daniel Cross.”
Alexander immediately took the phone.
He answered.
“Daniel.”
Silence.
Then the attorney spoke.
“I know you found the recordings.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed.
“How?”
A quiet laugh.
“Because Victoria isn’t the only person watching you.”
Alexander felt a chill.
“What do you want?”
“I want you to stop.”
“No.”
Daniel sighed.
“You really are your father’s son.”
Alexander gripped the phone.
“You helped her.”
“Yes.”
The confession was casual.
Like it meant nothing.
“You ruined my family.”
Daniel corrected him.
“No.”
His voice became colder.
“Your family was already broken.”
Alexander looked at Lauren.
Then at Sophia.
“Where is my mother?”
Another pause.
Then Daniel said:
“She’s not the person you should be worried about.”
Alexander froze.
“What does that mean?”
Daniel lowered his voice.
“Your daughter was never the only child involved.”
Silence.
“What?”
“There was another secret.”
Alexander felt his heartbeat increase.
“What secret?”
Daniel answered:
“The Sterling family has been hiding another heir.”
The call ended.
Alexander stood there.
Confused.
Angry.
Terrified.
Because after everything he discovered...
The biggest secret had not been about money.
It was about blood.
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And somewhere out there...
Someone else believed they deserved Sophia’s place.
