Chapter 3 - THE BLACK DRIVE
Noah grabbed the drive before anyone else could reach it.
Richard saw him.
"Give me that."
Noah laughed.
"Not a chance."
Security surrounded the ballroom doors.
Guests were ordered to remain inside until hotel staff determined what had caused the blackout.
Evelyn looked for Martin.
He had disappeared.
Adrian stood near the altar.
His calm expression was gone.
"Evelyn, please."
She turned toward him.
"Did you know about that drive?"
"No."
"Did you know Martin was coming?"
"No."
"Did you know my father planned a merger?"
Adrian didn't answer quickly enough.
Evelyn removed her engagement ring.
His eyes widened.
"Don't."
She placed the ring in his palm.
"I'm not marrying anyone until I know why my father died."
Richard stepped between them.
"You're making an emotional decision in front of three hundred people."
"My father is dead."
"And humiliating Adrian won't bring him back."
Evelyn stared at him.
"This isn't about humiliation."
Richard leaned closer.
"It's about billions of dollars."
There it was.
Not love.
Not family.
Money.
Evelyn turned toward Noah.
"Find somewhere private."
They moved into the hotel's executive office.
Adrian followed.
So did Richard.
Evelyn stopped at the door.
"Not you."
Richard looked almost amused.
"You think you can exclude me?"
"Watch me."
She closed the door in his face.
Noah inserted the drive into an offline laptop.
There were seven folders.
BANK TRANSFERS.
VALE.
MEDICAL.
BOARD.
ADRIAN.
EVELYN.
FINAL.
Evelyn stared at her own name.
Noah clicked FINAL.
Password protected.
He tried Charles's birthday.
Wrong.
Their mother's birthday.
Wrong.
Carrington.
Wrong.
"Three attempts left," Noah said.
Adrian stood behind them.
"Try Evelyn's birthday."
They both turned.
"Why?"
Adrian's voice softened.
"Charles loved you more than anything."
Evelyn entered the date.
The folder opened.
Inside was one video file.
Charles Carrington appeared on-screen.
He was sitting in his office.
Alive.
Evelyn covered her mouth.
The recording date was three days before his death.
Charles looked exhausted.
"If Evelyn or Noah is watching this, then something has happened to me."
Noah froze.
Evelyn felt tears burning her eyes.
Charles continued.
"For the past six months, I have been investigating unauthorized transfers from Carrington Global."
Documents appeared beside him.
"Approximately one hundred eighty million dollars has been moved through shell companies connected to Vale Capital."
Adrian whispered.
"No."
Charles looked directly into the camera.
"I believe Richard Vale is attempting a hostile takeover from inside my company."
Evelyn turned toward Adrian.
He looked genuinely stunned.
Then Charles said something worse.
"I also believe someone in my family is helping him."
Noah stared at Evelyn.
Evelyn stared back.
Charles continued.
"I haven't identified that person yet."
The recording suddenly glitched.
Then resumed.
"If I die unexpectedly, do not trust the official explanation."
Evelyn began crying silently.
Charles leaned closer to the camera.
"And Evelyn, whatever happens, do not sign the marriage trust."
The video ended.
Noah slowly turned toward Adrian.
"What marriage trust?"
Adrian said nothing.
Evelyn wiped her tears.
"Answer him."
Adrian looked at her.
"The document you're supposed to sign after the ceremony."
Her blood went cold.
"What does it do?"
Adrian lowered his eyes.
"It transfers temporary voting authority over your Carrington shares."
"To whom?"
The door opened behind them.
May you like
Richard Vale stood there.
"To my son."
