Chapter 2 - THE SECRET FILE UNDER MY DESK
The next morning, I stood up for the first time in three months.
Alone.
Inside my private office.
I grabbed the edge of my desk and slowly lifted myself from the wheelchair.
My legs worked perfectly.
No pain.
No weakness.
Nothing.
I stared at my reflection in the window.
The man looking back wasn’t broken.
He was angry.
But controlled.
My phone rang.
It was Robert Hayes.
My attorney.
“Alexander, we need to talk.”
His voice sounded serious.
“What happened?”
“I found something.”
I walked toward my desk.
“What kind of something?”
Robert sent several documents.
I opened the first file.
My eyes narrowed.
A private email.
From Vanessa.
To a board member.
The subject line:
“Emergency Leadership Transition Plan.”
I read the message.
“Alexander’s condition makes him unsuitable to continue as CEO...”
I stopped.
Unsuitable.
That was the word they used.
Not injured.
Not recovering.
Unsuitable.
Like I was a damaged product.
Another file appeared.
Financial transfers.
Large amounts.
Money moving between Vanessa’s family accounts and company executives.
I looked at the screen.
“How long?”
Robert sighed.
“Longer than we thought.”
I looked toward the wheelchair.
For three months, I had pretended to be powerless.
But Vanessa had spent those three months trying to steal everything I built.
My company.
My reputation.
My future.
Then Robert said something else.
“Alexander…”
“What?”
“There is one more thing.”
I waited.
“Someone inside your house has been helping her.”
The room became silent.
“What do you mean?”
“Information about your medical condition was leaked.”
My eyes narrowed.
“Only four people knew.”
“Exactly.”
Someone else knew.
Someone close.
Someone inside my home.
My phone buzzed.
A message from Clara.
“Mr. Carter, I found something strange in the upstairs office. I think you need to see it.”
I stared at the message.
Because for the first time…
May you like
I wondered if Clara knew more than she was saying.
TO BE CONTINUED...
