Chapter 7 - The Man Who Was Supposed To Be Dead
The words hit Avery harder than any accusation ever could.
"He was murdered."
For a moment, she forgot how to breathe.
The ballroom disappeared.
The guests disappeared.
Even the sound of people whispering around her faded away.
All she heard was Victoria's voice repeating those three words.
Your father was murdered.
Avery looked at her mother-in-law.
"No."
Her voice came out weak.
"No, that's not possible."
Victoria watched her carefully.
"You were told he left."
Avery's eyes filled with confusion.
"Because that's what you believed."
She stepped closer.
"But your father didn't abandon you."
Avery felt tears building.
"Then where was he?"
Nobody answered.
Until Damian spoke.
"Victoria knows."
Everyone turned.
Victoria's expression changed.
"Be careful, Damian."
"Why?"
Damian stepped forward.
"Because for years, you convinced everyone that Avery's father was a failure who disappeared."
His eyes narrowed.
"But the truth is he was the only person who knew what you were planning."
Liam looked at his mother.
"What was she planning?"
Victoria stayed silent.
Liam's voice became louder.
"Mom."
The woman who had controlled everyone for decades suddenly looked cornered.
And Avery noticed.
For the first time...
Victoria Sterling was afraid.
Marcus Reed, the security chief, opened another file.
"Daniel Carter."
Avery froze.
Her father's name.
She hadn't heard it spoken by anyone outside her family in years.
Marcus continued.
"He was one of the original architects behind Sterling Financial's expansion."
Liam looked shocked.
"My grandfather never mentioned him."
"Because Charles wanted to protect him."
Marcus looked at Victoria.
"And Victoria wanted him gone."
Avery shook her head.
"Why?"
Her voice cracked.
"Why would she do that?"
Damian answered.
"Because your father discovered she was moving company assets."
The entire room went quiet.
Liam looked at Victoria.
"You stole from Sterling?"
Victoria laughed.
A quiet, bitter laugh.
"You all think money is the problem."
She looked around.
"You think this is about greed."
She pointed at Liam.
"It's about survival."
Liam frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Victoria looked at him.
"When your father was dying, he planned to remove me from the company."
Liam's face changed.
"Because you betrayed him."
Victoria's eyes became cold.
"No."
She stepped closer.
"Because he chose you over me."
The room froze.
Avery realized something.
This wasn't just about money.
This was about power.
And resentment.
Victoria had spent years building an empire because she believed it was stolen from her.
But someone still needed to answer one question.
"What happened to my father?"
Avery's voice shook.
Victoria looked at her.
Then smiled.
"You really want to know?"
Avery nodded.
"Yes."
Victoria leaned closer.
"Your father is alive."
The room exploded.
Liam stared.
"That's impossible."
Victoria looked at Avery.
"But if you want the truth..."
She pointed toward the ballroom doors.
"Ask the man standing outside."
Everyone turned.
The doors slowly opened.
A man appeared in the doorway.
Older.
Tired.
But unmistakable.
Avery's knees almost gave out.
Because she knew that face.
May you like
Even after twenty years.
"Dad?"
