Chapter 3 - THE MAN IN THE BLACK CAR
Arthur Sterling sat inside his private office, staring at the photograph.
The board meeting had been postponed.
His security team had searched the city.
But he knew the real danger wasn't outside.
It was inside Sterling Global.
“Bring me everything we have on Sarah Carter.”
His chief security officer, Daniel Reed, hesitated.
“Sir, that file was sealed.”
“I know.”
“Your father ordered it sealed.”
Arthur looked up.
“My father died eighteen years ago.”
Daniel said nothing.
Arthur leaned forward.
“Then tell me why someone is still protecting his secret.”
Meanwhile, Emily barely slept.
She kept the envelope on the kitchen table.
At six in the morning, someone knocked.
Emily grabbed a knife.
She opened the door only a few inches.
Arthur stood outside.
He was wearing a dark suit.
No bodyguards.
No luxury car.
Just Arthur.
“I need to speak with you.”
Emily didn't move.
“You scared my daughter.”
“I know.”
“Someone threatened us.”
“I know.”
Emily stared at him.
“How?”
Arthur's expression hardened.
“Because the same person threatened me.”
Emily opened the door.
Arthur entered.
He placed a folder on the table.
“Your sister Sarah worked for my company.”
Emily swallowed.
“I know.”
“She discovered financial fraud.”
Emily stared at him.
“How much?”
“Two hundred million dollars.”
Emily's face went pale.
Arthur continued.
“She was preparing to expose it.”
“What happened?”
“She disappeared.”
Emily whispered.
“You told everyone she ran away.”
Arthur lowered his eyes.
“I was told that.”
“By whom?”
Arthur looked at her.
“My chief financial officer.”
Emily recognized the name.
Victor Hale.
A powerful businessman.
A close friend of Arthur's family.
Arthur opened another folder.
Inside were old photographs.
Sarah.
Victor.
Arthur.
And Emily's father.
Emily's hands trembled.
“My father was involved?”
Arthur didn't answer.
Instead, he pointed at one photograph.
“Look at the date.”
Emily did.
The photograph was taken two days after Sarah disappeared.
Her father was standing beside Victor.
And behind them was a warehouse.
Emily recognized it.
It had belonged to her family.
She stood abruptly.
“My father told me that warehouse burned down.”
Arthur nodded.
“It didn't.”
A sound came from upstairs.
Lily screamed.
Emily ran.
Arthur followed.
They found Lily standing beside her bedroom window.
She was holding something.
A small black device.
“What is that?” Emily asked.
Lily looked frightened.
“It was under my pillow.”
Arthur took it.
His expression changed instantly.
“Get down.”
He pulled Emily and Lily away from the window.
A bullet shattered the glass.
Emily screamed.
Arthur pushed them onto the floor.
Another shot struck the wall.
Then silence.
Arthur looked at Daniel's security team arriving outside.
He stared at the device in his hand.
“This isn't a warning anymore.”
Emily looked at him.
“What is it?”
May you like
Arthur answered quietly.
“It means they know exactly where Lily is.”
