CHAPTER 8 — The Witness Nobody Expected
Forty-eight hours later...
Every major news network was broadcasting live outside Carter Technologies.
Federal agents carried out boxes of evidence.
Shareholders demanded emergency meetings.
The board suspended both Evelyn Carter and Richard Vale pending investigation.
Ethan had voluntarily stepped aside as CEO.
For the first time in twenty years...
He walked out of headquarters without security.
Without applause.
Without power.
Meanwhile...
Olivia stayed with Margaret and Lily.
She refused every television interview.
Lily needed peace more than headlines.
One rainy afternoon...
There was a knock at the front door.
Margaret opened it.
Richard Vale stood outside.
He looked nothing like the polished attorney from court.
His expensive suit was wrinkled.
His eyes were bloodshot.
He held a thick cardboard archive box.
"I need to speak to Olivia."
Inside...
Nobody trusted him.
Olivia remained standing.
"What do you want?"
Richard placed the box on the table.
"For twelve years..."
"I convinced myself I was protecting the company."
"But I wasn't."
"I was protecting Evelyn."
He slowly opened the box.
Thousands of documents.
Original contracts.
Secret recordings.
Bank statements.
Private letters.
And one small black notebook.
Emily's notebook.
Olivia's hands trembled.
"How did you get this?"
Richard lowered his head.
"I stole it."
"From Emily."
"On Evelyn's orders."
Margaret burst into tears.
"You monster..."
Richard didn't defend himself.
"I deserve that."
He slid one flash drive across the table.
"If anything happens to me..."
"Give this to the FBI."
Olivia looked directly into his eyes.
"What is on it?"
Richard answered quietly.
"The proof that Emily didn't die naturally."
The room froze.
Lily stopped coloring.
Even the rain outside seemed to disappear.
Olivia whispered,
"What did you just say?"
May you like
Richard closed his eyes.
"I think someone murdered her."
