Chapter 8: The Truth Buried In The Foundation
I spent the entire drive wondering one thing.
Was Emily the person who betrayed me?
Or was she the next person being used?
The problem with secrets was that once you discovered one, every memory started changing.
Every conversation.
Every smile.
Every moment you thought was real.
Emily had been my closest employee.
But more than that, she had been my friend.
She was there when I lost my father.
She was there when I took over the investigation.
She was there when everyone told me I was too young to challenge powerful people.
And now she wanted to meet me in secret.
Alone.
I arrived at the old Bennett Foundation storage building twenty minutes early.
The place had been abandoned after my father's death.
A forgotten piece of the empire he built.
The lights inside flickered.
I stepped through the doorway.
"Emily?""
No answer.
I walked farther inside.
Then I heard footsteps.
Emily appeared from behind a shelf.
Her face was pale.
She looked exhausted.
Not dangerous.
Scared.
"Olivia.""
I stared at her.
"Why?""
She looked down.
"I knew you would come.""
"Because you sent the message.""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
"Are you the one who tried to frame me?""
Her eyes widened.
"No.""
The answer came too quickly.
Almost desperately.
"Then explain.""
Emily looked around.
"Do you remember when you asked me why your father trusted me?""
I frowned.
"What does that have to do with anything?""
"Because he didn't.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"What?""
Emily took a small breath.
"Your father never trusted me completely.""
"Then why did he hire you?""
"Because I was the only person who could get close enough.""
I stared at her.
"Close enough to what?""
She looked at me.
"Daniel Cross.""
The name again.
Always Daniel.
"Emily, everyone keeps saying his name. Nobody tells me the full story.""
She stepped closer.
"Because the full story destroys everything you believe about your family.""
I crossed my arms.
"Try me.""
Emily hesitated.
Then she finally said:
"Your father didn't discover the money being stolen.""
I waited.
"He discovered the foundation was being used to hide something much bigger.""
"What?""
"Political influence. Private deals. People buying access through donations.""
My expression changed.
"You're saying the foundation was a cover?""
Emily nodded.
"Daniel built a network around your family name.""
"And my mother?""
Emily looked away.
"Your mother knew some of it.""
My heart sank.
"Some?""
"She thought she could control it.""
The room became quiet.
Then Emily reached into her bag.
She pulled out a small memory device.
"No phones," she said quickly.
I almost laughed.
"Everyone keeps saying that.""
"Because people are listening.""
I looked around.
"What is on that?""
"The last conversation your father ever recorded.""
My hands went cold.
"With who?""
Emily looked at me.
"Your mother.""
Before I could respond, a loud noise came from outside.
A car door closing.
Emily's face changed.
"They found me.""
"Who?""
She looked toward the entrance.
"Olivia, you need to hide.""
"No.""
"You don't understand.""
She grabbed my arm.
"For once in your life, listen.""
The door handle moved.
Someone was trying to enter.
Emily pushed the memory device into my hand.
"Do not let them take this.""
The door opened.
A shadow appeared.
Then a voice filled the building.
A voice I recognized immediately.
"Olivia.""
I froze.
Because standing at the entrance was Officer Derek Holloway.
But he wasn't alone.
Behind him stood someone I never expected.
My mother.
And she was holding a folder with my father's name written on it.
"Give me the recording," she said.
Her voice was calm.
Almost gentle.
That was what scared me most.
May you like
Because my mother had never sounded like a stranger before.
Until that moment.
