Chapter 5 - THE WOMAN WHO STOLE A DAUGHTER’S VOICE
The next morning, August canceled every meeting.
Every business appointment.
Every public appearance.
The billionaire who controlled thousands of employees was sitting in his private office, reading a letter from his daughter over and over.
Each sentence revealed another piece of a mystery he thought was buried forever.
Thomas Reed placed a folder on the desk.
“There’s something else.”
August looked up.
“What?”
Thomas hesitated.
“I found this after Caroline disappeared.”
August opened the folder.
Inside were old financial records.
Bank transfers.
Company documents.
And one name appeared again and again.
Victoria Caldwell.
August’s face hardened.
“She was taking money?”
Thomas shook his head.
“Not exactly.”
“Then what?”
“She was moving money.”
August looked confused.
“Explain.”
Thomas pointed at the documents.
“Someone inside the company was creating fake accounts. Millions were disappearing.”
“And Caroline found out?”
Thomas nodded.
“She was planning to expose it.”
August leaned back.
His mind raced.
“So Victoria knew.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Thomas looked ashamed.
“Because Caroline asked me not to.”
August stared.
“She trusted you?”
“She knew if the wrong person found out, she and her child would be in danger.”
August went still.
“My child?”
Thomas slowly nodded.
“Elsie.”
The word echoed through the room.
August looked through the glass wall.
Outside, Elsie sat quietly with a security guard.
The little girl who had walked into his life carrying a ring.
His granddaughter.
A child he never knew existed.
“Caroline had a daughter,” August whispered.
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t she tell me?”
Thomas looked down.
“Because she tried.”
August’s eyes filled with anger.
“Victoria.”
Thomas didn’t answer.
He didn’t need to.
August stood up.
“Where is she?”
“Who?”
“My wife.”
Thomas looked worried.
“August…”
“Where is Victoria?”
At that exact moment, his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Hello?”
A woman’s voice whispered.
“August, you need to listen carefully.”
He froze.
Because he knew that voice.
Caroline.
But that was impossible.
“Who is this?”
“Your daughter left something behind. Something Victoria never found.”
August grabbed the desk.
“Where are you?”
The woman continued.
“Don’t trust anyone in your house.”
Then the call ended.
August stared at the phone.
His heart pounding.
Because there was only one explanation.
May you like
Someone who knew Caroline’s secret was still alive.
And they were afraid.
