CHAPTER 6 — THE VIDEO YOUR FATHER NEVER WANTED YOU TO SEE
That afternoon, Arthur was escorted into a secure federal evidence room.
Only four people were allowed inside.
Arthur.
The lead investigator.
A federal prosecutor.
And Richard Vaughn.
Still wearing handcuffs.
Richard placed a small brass key onto the table.
"I've carried this for eight years."
Arthur recognized it instantly.
It matched the symbol engraved on the Legacy Trust documents.
"What does it open?"
Richard answered quietly.
"A private vault beneath Sterling National Bank."
Hours later, under heavy security, the vault door slowly opened.
Inside...
There was almost nothing.
No gold.
No cash.
No priceless artwork.
Just a single leather briefcase.
Arthur opened it with trembling hands.
Inside lay dozens of documents.
A faded family photograph.
And one old video cassette.
The label simply read:
For Arthur. Only after you become a father.
Arthur's breathing became uneven.
The tape was immediately transferred to a digital player.
The screen flickered.
Then...
His father appeared.
Older.
Thinner.
Clearly ill.
"Arthur..."
"If you're watching this..."
"...then everything has gone terribly wrong."
Arthur felt tears filling his eyes.
His father continued.
"Our family built an empire."
"But we also built enemies."
"I created the Legacy Trust because someone inside our own circle wanted to control every Sterling heir."
Arthur frowned.
"What does that mean?"
The recording continued.
"If you ever have children..."
"...they will become targets."
Arthur looked toward the investigators.
No one spoke.
His father took a deep breath.
"There is only one person I never fully trusted."
Arthur leaned closer.
The name that came next would answer everything.
Or destroy everything.
"Richard..."
Arthur's eyes widened.
But before the sentence finished...
The video suddenly cut to black.
The file had been corrupted.
Only static remained.
"No..."
Arthur whispered.
"There has to be more."
The technician checked the recording.
"The last six minutes are missing."
Richard slowly lowered his head.
"They weren't missing."
Arthur looked at him.
"They were stolen."
"By whom?"
Richard closed his eyes.
"The only person who knew where the original recording was hidden..."
"...was your mother."
Arthur felt every muscle in his body tighten.
At that exact moment, Arthur's phone vibrated.
A video message.
Unknown sender.
He opened it.
The footage lasted only twelve seconds.
Madeline was tied to a chair inside an abandoned warehouse.
The triplets were crying beside her.
A masked voice spoke through a distorted speaker.
"You have twenty-four hours."
"Bring us the original recording..."
"...or you'll never see your family alive again."
The screen went black.
Arthur didn't hesitate.
He stood up, eyes burning with determination.
"This isn't business anymore."
May you like
"It's war."
TO BE CONTINUED...
