Chapter 13 - THE TRUTH BEHIND THE ACCIDENT
For years, I believed my father died because life was unfair.
A simple accident.
A terrible night.
A moment nobody could control.
That was the story I was given.
And because I loved him…
I accepted it.
But now I was standing in the same room where someone had just tried to silence the only person who knew the truth.
And suddenly, the story I had lived with for ten years started falling apart.
“Find Clara.”
Michael’s voice was calm.
But everyone in the room knew what that meant.
He was angry.
His security team searched the building.
The streets.
Every exit.
But Clara was gone.
Like she had disappeared all those years ago.
I stood there staring at the broken window.
My hands were shaking.
“She was right here.”
Michael walked toward me.
“Emma.”
“She was alive.”
“I know.”
“She knew what happened to my father.”
“I know.”
My voice broke.
“And now she’s gone.”
Michael didn’t say anything.
Because he knew.
This wasn’t just about losing a witness.
This was about losing the last person who could explain why my entire life had been destroyed.
Then one of Michael’s security men entered.
“Mr. Russo.”
“What?”
“We recovered something.”
He handed Michael a small piece of paper.
Michael read it.
His expression changed.
“What is it?”
He looked at me.
“It’s not from Richard.”
I frowned.
“Then who?”
Michael handed me the paper.
Three words.
The handwriting was different.
I knew it immediately.
Because I had seen it before.
Daniel.
My heart dropped.
“Daniel?”
Michael nodded.
“Where is he?”
Before he answered, my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered immediately.
“Daniel?”
There was heavy breathing.
Then his voice.
“Emma.”
My eyes closed.
“Where are you?”
“I’m sorry.”
Those two words hurt.
Because they came too late.
“Where are you?”
“I need you to listen.”
Michael motioned for me to put it on speaker.
Daniel continued.
“Vanessa wasn’t just using me.”
“I know.”
“No.”
His voice became desperate.
“You don’t understand.”
I stayed silent.
“She knew about Richard before she met me.”
Michael looked at me.
“What are you saying?”
Daniel continued.
“Richard hired her.”
The room went quiet.
“Why?”
“Because she was supposed to get close to you.”
My stomach tightened.
“Why me?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Because Richard knew something your father left behind.”
“What?”
“A hidden account.”
Michael immediately focused.
“Where?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re lying.”
“I swear.”
Daniel sounded terrified.
“Emma, you have to believe me.”
I almost laughed.
Believe him.
After everything.
But then I heard something.
A sound in the background.
Someone else was there.
“Daniel?”
Silence.
“Who is with you?”
No answer.
“Daniel.”
His voice lowered.
“They found me.”
My heart stopped.
“Who?”
Before he could answer…
The phone went silent.
The call ended.
Michael immediately moved.
“Track it.”
Seconds passed.
Then the security team responded.
“We have a location.”
“Where?”
Michael looked at the screen.
His face changed.
“Richard Blackwell’s private property.”
I stood.
“No.”
Michael looked at me.
“Yes.”
My breathing became faster.
“Daniel is there?”
Michael nodded.
“And if Richard has him…”
He didn’t finish.
He didn’t need to.
Because we both knew.
Daniel wasn’t just a witness anymore.
He was the only person who could lead us to the truth.
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And Richard knew it.
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