Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WHO WANTED ME GONE
Vanessa walked into the library like she owned the entire house.
Maybe she believed she did.
For three months, everyone had treated her like the future owner of my empire.
She had convinced them I was no longer the man they followed.
Only a man they had to manage.
She picked up the envelope from the table.
"Old medical papers?"
She laughed softly.
"Is this what we're doing now?"
I looked at her.
"What do you mean?"
She stared at me.
"You're investigating people who are trying to help you?"
I almost smiled.
Help me.
That word sounded strange coming from her.
"Should I not ask questions?"
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"You've changed."
I nodded.
"You're right."
She stepped closer.
"The accident changed you."
I looked directly into her eyes.
"No."
I paused.
"The accident changed how I see people."
Her expression shifted.
Only slightly.
But enough.
She understood.
I was no longer the man who blindly trusted her.
"You think everyone is against you now?"
She shook her head.
"You're becoming paranoid."
I looked at the documents.
"No."
I answered calmly.
"I'm becoming careful."
The silence between us grew heavier.
Then Vanessa walked closer.
Her voice lowered.
"Be careful, Alexander."
A warning.
Not advice.
A threat.
"People who lose power usually don't realize how quickly everything disappears."
I smiled.
"You would know."
Her face changed.
Anger flashed across her eyes.
Then disappeared.
She turned toward the door.
But before leaving, she stopped.
"You should remember something."
I waited.
"People don't respect weakness forever."
The door closed.
Clara stood quietly nearby.
"She's dangerous."
I looked at the closed door.
"I know."
"No, Mr. Carter."
Her voice became serious.
"You don't understand."
I turned toward her.
"What?"
Clara looked nervous.
"I saw you."
My heart stopped.
"What did you say?"
She swallowed.
"I saw you walking."
The room became silent.
"When?"
"Two weeks ago."
I stared at her.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?"
Her eyes softened.
"Because I understood."
"Understood what?"
She looked at me.
"You weren't pretending to hurt people."
A pause.
"You were trying to find out who would hurt you."
For the first time...
someone understood my plan.
I didn't know whether I should feel relieved.
Or worried.
Because if Clara knew...
who else knew?
Then my phone rang.
It was Marcus.
His voice was urgent.
"Alexander."
"What happened?"
"Someone broke into your private office."
My expression changed.
"What did they take?"
A pause.
"Nothing."
I frowned.
"Nothing?"
"No."
His voice became lower.
"They left something behind."
"What?"
A photograph.
Of me.
Standing.
Walking.
Alive.
And written on the back were five words.
May you like
"I KNOW YOUR SECRET."
TO BE CONTINUED...
