CHAPTER 8: THE WOMAN BEHIND THE VOICE
CHAPTER 8: THE WOMAN BEHIND THE VOICE
The red emergency lights continued flashing.
Every few seconds, the mansion was painted in a dark crimson glow.
The atmosphere felt unreal.
Like the entire house had transformed from a symbol of wealth into a prison filled with ghosts.
Adrian stood in the center of the old office.
His hand was still holding Clara's.
He barely noticed.
His mind was racing through every possibility.
Someone had broken into the most secure part of the mansion.
Someone had stolen the box.
Someone had hacked the security system.
And now someone was claiming they had watched his father die.
"Find the source."
Adrian's voice was calm.
His assistant immediately grabbed his phone.
"We're checking the system now."
Richard looked around the room.
For the first time since entering, he looked genuinely concerned.
Adrian noticed.
"You know who that was."
Richard said nothing.
"Don't lie to me."
Richard looked at him.
"I don't know."
Adrian stared.
"You expect me to believe that?"
Richard sighed.
"Believe whatever you want."
He looked toward the empty space where the metal box had been.
"But if that person has the documents, we are all in danger."
The word "we" caught Adrian's attention.
He looked at Richard.
"You included?"
Richard gave a cold smile.
"Especially me."
That answer surprised everyone.
Because for the first time, Richard admitted fear.
Not arrogance.
Not control.
Fear.
Eleanor stepped forward.
"Who is she?"
Everyone looked at her.
Adrian noticed immediately.
"She?"
Eleanor froze.
Richard looked at her.
"You know."
Eleanor closed her eyes.
"I hoped she was gone."
Adrian's expression changed.
"Mother."
She remained silent.
"Who is she?"
Eleanor looked toward the dark hallway.
Then whispered:
"Her name is Evelyn Cross."
The name meant nothing to Adrian.
But it clearly meant something to Richard.
His face changed.
"Impossible."
Clara looked confused.
"Who is Evelyn Cross?"
Richard answered quietly.
"Someone who should have never survived."
The room became silent.
Adrian looked at him.
"Explain."
Richard walked toward the window.
Twenty years of secrets were beginning to unravel.
"Evelyn was your father's private investigator."
Adrian frowned.
"My father had an investigator?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Richard looked back.
"Because your father knew someone close to him was betraying him."
Adrian glanced at Eleanor.
"Did you know?"
She nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"And you said nothing?"
Eleanor looked hurt.
"Because your father asked me not to."
Adrian laughed bitterly.
"Everyone keeps saying that."
Richard continued.
"Evelyn was brilliant. She discovered the financial crimes. She discovered Richard's plan."
He looked at himself.
"And she discovered something else."
"What?"
Richard's expression darkened.
"That your father had another enemy."
Adrian felt a chill.
"Who?"
Richard did not answer.
Instead, the security monitors suddenly turned on.
A woman appeared on the screen.
She was sitting in a dark room.
Around fifty years old.
Short dark hair.
Sharp eyes.
Calm expression.
Everyone recognized her.
Except Adrian.
"Evelyn."
Richard whispered.
The woman smiled.
"Hello, Adrian."
Adrian stepped closer.
"Who are you?"
The woman looked at him.
"I knew you would ask that."
She smiled sadly.
"I knew your father before you knew the world."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"What do you want?"
"Justice."
The answer came immediately.
Adrian shook his head.
"Everyone who enters this house says the same thing."
Evelyn smiled.
"Because everyone in this house has something to hide."
Her eyes moved.
Toward Eleanor.
Then Richard.
Then Victoria.
"Especially them."
Victoria stepped forward.
"What do you want from us?"
Evelyn looked at her.
"You should be asking what I know."
The screen changed.
A photograph appeared.
Adrian froze.
It showed his father.
Standing beside Evelyn.
But there was another person.
A child.
A young boy.
Adrian stared.
"Who is that?"
Nobody answered.
Evelyn looked directly at him.
"That is the reason your father was killed."
Adrian felt his heartbeat increase.
"Who?"
The image zoomed in.
The child was holding a small family necklace.
A necklace Adrian recognized.
Because he had one identical to it.
His father's necklace.
Evelyn spoke.
"Your father discovered he had another heir."
The room went silent.
Another heir.
Adrian looked confused.
"What are you saying?"
Evelyn leaned closer to the camera.
"I am saying..."
"Your father had another child."
Everyone froze.
Clara looked at Adrian.
Victoria stepped back.
Eleanor's face became completely pale.
Because she knew.
She had known.
Adrian slowly turned toward his mother.
"No."
Eleanor's eyes filled with tears.
"Adrian..."
"No."
His voice became louder.
"You knew?"
Silence.
That silence was the answer.
Adrian looked destroyed.
His entire life was another layer of secrets.
Another person hidden from him.
Another truth stolen away.
Richard looked at Eleanor.
"You never told him?"
Eleanor whispered:
"I was trying to protect him."
Adrian turned away.
"Stop saying that."
Nobody spoke.
Then Evelyn continued through the screen.
"The child is alive."
Adrian looked back.
"What?"
"The person who destroyed your family has spent twenty years hiding him."
A pause.
"And tonight..."
The screen showed a new image.
A man.
Standing outside the mansion gates.
Adrian stared.
Because the man looked familiar.
Not because he knew him.
But because of the eyes.
Those eyes were his father's eyes.
Evelyn spoke one final sentence.
"Adrian, meet your brother."
The screen went black.
At that exact moment...
The mansion doors opened.
Everyone turned.
A stranger stood in the entrance.
Same height as Adrian.
Same sharp features.
Same cold expression.
He looked around the room.
Then his eyes stopped on Adrian.
For several seconds, neither man moved.
Then the stranger spoke.
"I've waited twenty years to meet you."
Adrian stared.
"Who are you?"
The man answered:
"My name is Lucas Vale."
A pause.
May you like
"And I am your father's first son."
END OF CHAPTER 8
