CHAPTER 7 – The Last Secret in the Fire
Gunfire echoed through the shattered penthouse as FBI agents stormed every room.
Victor Voss didn't panic.
He smiled.
"You still think this is about money."
Emily's younger sister, FBI Special Agent Sarah Morgan, kept her rifle trained on him.
"Put your hands where I can see them."
Victor slowly raised his hands.
"You've spent twenty years hunting the wrong monster."
Before anyone could react—
Victor pressed a tiny switch hidden beneath his watch.
Every computer screen inside the apartment flickered to life.
A countdown appeared.
03:00... 02:59...
Sarah's eyes widened.
"No..."
Victor laughed.
"The Voss Archive."
"When that timer reaches zero..."
"...every politician, billionaire, judge, and crime boss who worked with me will be exposed."
He looked directly at Ethan.
"And your precious Emily will be remembered as my partner."
Emily shook her head violently.
"No! They're fake files!"
Victor smiled.
"Truth doesn't matter."
"People only believe what they see."
Suddenly Adrian rushed toward Victor.
"You've destroyed this family long enough!"
Victor pulled a hidden pistol from his jacket.
A single gunshot exploded through the room.
Adrian staggered backward.
Blood spread across his white shirt.
Lily screamed.
"NO!"
As Ethan caught Adrian before he hit the floor, Adrian grabbed Ethan's collar with surprising strength.
"There’s... one more secret..."
He coughed blood.
"You were never supposed to drive a taxi."
Ethan frowned.
"What?"
Adrian forced a weak smile.
"You were... a federal undercover detective."
"You volunteered..."
"...after Emily disappeared."
Ethan's entire body froze.
Fragments of forgotten memories flooded back.
Doctors...
Hospitals...
A bright light...
Voices telling him,
"The memory wipe was successful."
His hands began to shake.
His headaches...
His nightmares...
They weren't accidents.
Someone had erased his past.
Before Adrian could say another word—
His hand fell limp.
He died in Ethan's arms.
May you like
The countdown reached...
00:45.
