CHAPTER 4 — The Man Who Refused to Die
The next morning, headlines around the world announced Richard Ashford's tragic death.
Search boats continued scanning the ocean.
Divers searched the cliffs.
Television helicopters circled overhead.
But they found nothing.
No body.
No wreckage.
No evidence.
Sophia pretended to mourn.
She welcomed reporters with red eyes and carefully rehearsed answers.
"He loved life."
"He was a wonderful husband."
"I'll miss him forever."
Inside, she was counting the hours until the lawyers called.
Finally, the phone rang.
She smiled before answering.
"This is Sophia."
"Mrs. Ashford," the attorney said politely. "Could you come to Richard's headquarters this afternoon regarding his estate?"
Exactly what she had been waiting for.
She arrived wearing an elegant black dress, expecting sympathy—and ownership of everything Richard had built.
Instead, Daniel Cross was waiting.
His face revealed nothing.
"Please come with me."
He led her into an enormous conference room.
At the far end of the table sat twelve attorneys.
Three forensic accountants.
Two retired judges.
And a large television screen.
Sophia frowned.
"What's all this?"
Daniel remained calm.
"Mr. Ashford left specific instructions."
The lights dimmed.
Richard appeared on the screen.
Alive.
Smiling.
Sophia's face turned completely white.
"No..." she whispered.
Richard looked directly into the camera.
"Hello, Sophia."
"If you're seeing this, then one of two things has happened."
"I've died naturally..."
"...or someone I trusted decided to help fate."
He leaned closer.
"I sincerely hope it wasn't you."
Sophia could barely breathe.
Richard continued.
"I spent decades building my companies."
"I also spent decades learning one simple lesson."
"Trust should never exist without verification."
The screen suddenly switched.
Security footage filled the room.
Sophia secretly meeting unknown men.
Encrypted text messages.
Financial agreements.
Private recordings.
Then came the final clip.
The helicopter.
A hidden interior camera—installed behind an overhead panel.
Every second was crystal clear.
Richard walking toward the open door.
Sophia looking over her shoulder.
Her hands...
Pushing him with all her strength.
The room fell into absolute silence.
Sophia staggered backward.
"That's... that's fake!"
"No!"
"It's AI!"
"It's edited!"
Nobody answered.
Daniel quietly pressed another button.
The footage continued.
As Richard disappeared from the helicopter...
Something unexpected happened.
A compact emergency parachute hidden beneath his tailored jacket exploded open.
The recording ended there.
Daniel folded his hands.
"Mr. Ashford planned for many possibilities."
"He prepared for betrayal."
"He prepared for murder."
"He even prepared... to survive."
Sophia felt the blood drain from her face.
If Richard had survived...
Then somewhere...
May you like
He was still alive.
And he knew exactly what she had done.
