Chapter 8 - THE FILE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
The flash drive contained one video.
No password.
No protection.
Almost as if the person who left it wanted them to watch.
Alexander connected it to his computer.
Emily stood beside him.
His mother watched from behind.
The screen turned black.
Then a face appeared.
Emily forgot how to breathe.
“Noah…”
Her brother looked older.
Tired.
Different.
But alive.
Her knees almost gave out.
Alexander grabbed a chair.
“Sit.”
She didn’t move.
Because Noah was speaking.
“Emily.”
His voice shook.
“If you’re watching this, I’m sorry.”
Tears immediately filled her eyes.
“I wanted to come home.”
A pause.
“I tried.”
Emily covered her mouth.
Ten years.
Ten years of wondering.
Ten years of blaming herself.
Noah continued.
“You need to understand something.”
He looked directly into the camera.
“The Kingston family is not what people think.”
Alexander’s face became serious.
“My father?”
Noah nodded on the screen.
“Victor Kingston was not killed by an accident.”
Emily looked at Alexander.
The room became colder.
Noah continued.
“He was trying to expose people inside his own company.”
Alexander stepped closer.
“Who?”
Noah looked afraid.
“People with enough money to erase evidence.”
The video flickered.
Then Noah said something that shocked them.
“Emily, you were involved because of me.”
She froze.
“What?”
Alexander looked at her.
“Noah knew something about you.”
The video continued.
“You don’t remember the night when you were fourteen.”
Emily frowned.
Fourteen?
What happened when she was fourteen?
Noah’s voice became quieter.
“But I do.”
The screen froze for a moment.
Then returned.
“Emily, you saved my life.”
Her eyes widened.
“I don’t understand.”
Alexander looked confused too.
Noah continued.
“And that’s why they can’t let you remember.”
A sharp sound interrupted the video.
Someone was entering the room where Noah recorded.
Noah looked toward the door.
Fear appeared on his face.
“I have to go.”
He looked back one final time.
“Emily…”
His eyes filled with tears.
“Don’t trust the man who says he wants to save you.”
The video ended.
Silence.
Nobody moved.
Emily slowly turned toward Alexander.
The message was clear.
Someone had warned her about him.
Alexander saw the doubt in her eyes.
And it hurt more than he expected.
“You think it’s me?”
Emily looked away.
“I don’t know.”
For a man like Alexander Kingston, those words were worse than an accusation.
Because he trusted almost nobody.
But he had started trusting her.
A security alarm suddenly exploded through the mansion.
A guard ran inside.
“Sir!”
Alexander stood.
“What happened?”
The guard looked at Emily.
Then back at Alexander.
“We found the person who sent the message.”
Everyone froze.
“Where?”
The guard swallowed.
“In the basement.”
Alexander frowned.
“The basement is locked.”
The guard nodded.
“That’s why we’re worried.”
May you like
A pause.
“He was waiting for you.”
