Chapter 5 - THE VAULTThe Parker family vault was beneath the old mansion.
Ethan had not entered it since childhood.
He and Lily arrived before sunrise.
The key opened a small metal box.
Inside were three things.
A USB drive.
A photograph of Ethan's father.
And a letter.
Ethan unfolded it.
His father's handwriting was unmistakable.
Ethan,
If you're reading this, something has gone terribly wrong.
Ethan's hands trembled.
His father confessed everything.
The company had not been built entirely through legitimate business.
Marcus Vale had been running an underground financial operation inside Parker Holdings.
Ethan's father discovered it.
He planned to expose Marcus.
But he died before he could.
His mother had known.
She had spent years trying to protect Ethan.
And then came the most shocking sentence.
Hannah discovered the same operation.
Ethan sat down.
His father had known Hannah was investigating.
His mother had protected Hannah secretly.
But Marcus had found out.
The USB contained video footage.
Ethan opened it.
The screen showed Marcus entering Hannah's apartment five years earlier.
Hannah was terrified.
Marcus placed an envelope on the table.
“You disappear, or your daughter disappears.”
Ethan covered his mouth.
Then Hannah spoke.
“You can't threaten my child.”
Marcus smiled.
“I don't need to.”
The video ended.
Ethan stared at the black screen.
For years he had believed Hannah abandoned him.
She hadn't.
She had been protecting Lily.
A noise came from the hallway.
Ethan turned.
Someone was standing outside.
Marcus Vale.
He smiled.
“You should have left the past alone.”
Ethan stood.
“You threatened Hannah.”
Marcus's expression remained calm.
“She was a liability.”
“And my mother?”
“Your mother made mistakes.”
“Did you kill my father?”
Marcus's smile disappeared.
“No.”
May you like
He stepped closer.
“But I know who did.”
