CHAPTER 4 — THE WOMAN WHO KNEW HIS FATHER’S SECRET
Ethan confronted Vanessa the next morning.
Not in anger.
Not with accusations.
With evidence.
He placed the Project Hades files on the table.
Vanessa looked at them.
Then smiled.
"You finally found it."
Ethan was surprised.
"You’re not denying it?"
"No."
She leaned back.
"I helped hide those files."
The room became silent.
"Why?"
Vanessa looked away.
"Because your father asked me."
Ethan froze.
"What?"
Vanessa revealed the truth.
Three months before Richard died, he discovered Charles’ betrayal.
He knew someone close to him was involved.
So he created a plan.
He needed someone inside the company who could pretend to be loyal to Charles.
Someone everyone would underestimate.
Someone dangerous enough to survive.
That person was Vanessa.
"You slapped me because you wanted everyone to believe you hated me."
Ethan stared.
She nodded.
"If Charles believed I was protecting you, I would have been killed before you returned."
Ethan realized something.
The slap.
The humiliation.
The entire scene.
It was a performance.
But one question remained.
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
Vanessa looked at him.
"Because your father left one final instruction."
"What?"
She whispered:
"Do not trust Ethan Hale."
Ethan’s expression changed.
"What?"
Vanessa opened another file.
Inside was a letter written by Richard.
And the first sentence destroyed everything Ethan believed.
"If my son returns, do not assume he is innocent."
May you like
Ethan stared at the words.
His father suspected him.
