Chapter 4 - THE MAN IN THE TUNNEL
Julian moved in front of Lily.
The man raised one hand.
“Easy.”
Julian recognized him.
“Thomas Reed?”
Thomas had been Julian’s father’s private attorney for twenty years.
He looked older now.
Tired.
Gray.
Terrified.
But the gun in his hand was steady.
“Put it down,” Julian said.
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t know if Victor followed you.”
Julian stared.
Thomas slowly lowered the pistol.
“I’m not here to hurt you.”
“Then start talking.”
Thomas looked at Lily.
“Not in front of her.”
“She stays with me.”
Thomas nodded reluctantly.
“Your father knew Eleanor was stealing from the foundation.”
Julian’s expression hardened.
“How much?”
“Over forty million.”
Lily’s eyes widened.
Thomas continued.
“When he confronted her, she threatened divorce. Public scandal. Criminal allegations.”
Julian laughed bitterly.
“Sounds like her.”
“Your father changed the trust before he died. He placed controlling shares in Lily’s name.”
“Why Lily?”
“Because Eleanor could manipulate you.”
Julian flinched.
Thomas wasn’t wrong.
For years, Julian had protected his mother’s reputation.
Ignored warning signs.
Explained away cruelty.
Believed family mattered more than truth.
“But your father believed Lily would eventually be protected by you,” Thomas said.
Julian looked at the laptop.
“And Caroline?”
Thomas closed his eyes.
“I suspected.”
“You suspected my wife was murdered and said nothing?”
“I had no proof.”
“You had this!”
“No. Your father had this. I only found this room three months ago.”
Julian stepped toward him.
“You should’ve called me.”
“I tried.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“I sent you messages.”
“I never got them.”
Thomas looked toward the tunnel.
“Because Eleanor controlled your staff.”
Julian felt sick.
Every person around him.
Assistant.
Drivers.
Security.
Accountants.
How many had belonged to Eleanor?
Thomas stepped to the computer.
“We need to copy this.”
“Where?”
“External drive.”
He removed a small encrypted drive from his pocket.
Julian stared.
“You came prepared.”
“I came to finish what your father started.”
A sudden noise echoed from the tunnel.
Footsteps.
Thomas went pale.
“Too late.”
He handed Julian the pistol.
“Take Lily through that door.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll slow them down.”
“No.”
“Julian.”
“I’m not leaving you.”
Thomas grabbed his arm.
“Your father died because he underestimated your mother. Caroline died because everyone underestimated her.”
The footsteps grew louder.
“Don’t make the same mistake.”
Thomas shoved the drive into Julian’s hand.
“Go!”
Julian pulled Lily toward the second exit.
As they disappeared into the dark, Victor’s voice echoed through the hidden office.
“Thomas.”
Then came two gunshots.
Lily screamed.
Julian covered her mouth and kept moving.
May you like
But before the tunnel door closed behind them, he heard Thomas say one final sentence.
“Julian! Ask your mother what happened to your father!”
