Chapter 9 - THE TRUTH ABOUT EMILY’S DEATH

Daniel couldn’t move.

The photo remained on his phone.

Noah.

Victor.

Lauren.

Together.

Everything he believed was collapsing.

Marcus looked over his shoulder.

“She’s involved.”

Daniel shook his head.

“I need proof.”

Marcus looked at him.

“Daniel, your son is missing.”

“I know.”

His voice broke.

“But if I go after her without knowing the truth, I might lose him forever.”

Maya stepped forward.

“Then find the truth.”

Daniel looked at her.

“How?”

Maya pointed toward the hidden room.

“Emily left something behind.”

They returned to the secret room.

This time, they searched everything.

Every file.

Every picture.

Every recording.

Then Maya found a small USB drive hidden inside the wall.

Daniel plugged it into the computer.

A video appeared.

Emily was sitting in front of the camera.

She looked tired.

Scared.

But determined.

Daniel stopped breathing.

“Emily…”

Her voice filled the room.

“If you’re watching this, then I’m probably gone.”

Daniel looked away.

Pain crossed his face.

Emily continued.

“I need you to listen carefully.”

She looked directly into the camera.

“Daniel, the person trying to destroy us is someone you trust.”

A pause.

“Someone you love.”

Daniel knew immediately.

Lauren.

But Emily wasn’t finished.

“The accident was planned.”

The video showed documents.

Bank records.

Photos.

Then Emily said:

“Victor Hale is alive.”

Daniel’s eyes widened.

“He didn’t die.”

Emily continued.

“He and Lauren have been working together.”

Maya covered her mouth.

Daniel felt sick.

“But there is one thing they don’t know.”

Emily leaned closer.

“I found evidence of what they did.”

The screen flickered.

Then Emily whispered:

“And I hid it somewhere they would never search.”

The video suddenly stopped.

Daniel stared.

“That’s it?”

Marcus checked the file.

“Someone damaged the recording.”

Daniel looked at the frozen screen.

Then he noticed something.

A small detail.

Behind Emily was a painting.

The same painting from the mansion hallway.

Daniel stood.

“She hid it.”

Maya looked confused.

“What?”

“Behind the painting.”

They rushed out.

But before they reached the hallway…

Daniel’s phone rang.

Victor.

Daniel answered.

“Where is my son?”

Victor laughed softly.

“You’re getting closer.”

Daniel’s voice became dangerous.

“If you hurt him—”

“You still don’t understand.”

Victor interrupted.

“This was never about Noah.”

A pause.

“It was about what Emily discovered.”

Daniel looked at the painting.

“What did she discover?”

Victor’s voice lowered.

“The reason she had to die.”

The call ended.

And behind the painting…

Daniel found a hidden compartment.

Inside was a single envelope.

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