CHAPTER 2 — The Woman Nobody Really Knew
Evelyn survived the fall.
Barely.
She remained unconscious in the intensive care unit while Alexander replayed the recording dozens of times.
Something felt wrong.
Victoria was guilty.
That much was obvious.
But one sentence haunted him.
"She dies for nothing."
Why would Victoria sound so confident?
What did she know?
Hours later, another surprise arrived.
The head guard entered carrying an old sealed envelope.
"We found this hidden inside Mrs. Parker's handbag."
Alexander frowned.
His mother rarely carried anything valuable.
Inside the envelope was a photograph.
Thirty years old.
A young Evelyn stood beside a smiling man wearing a military uniform.
Between them...
A little boy.
Alexander.
Written on the back were six words.
If anything happens... trust Daniel Graves.
Alexander froze.
Daniel Graves.
The name belonged to a retired federal investigator who had disappeared twenty years earlier.
Before Alexander could react...
His phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
An old man's voice whispered only one sentence.
"Victoria isn't after your money."
The call disconnected.
Alexander immediately tracked the location.
Abandoned warehouse.
When he arrived, he found Daniel Graves waiting alone.
The old investigator placed a thick file on the table.
"You've spent your whole life believing you became a billionaire because you're brilliant."
Alexander nodded slowly.
Daniel looked him directly in the eyes.
"No."
"You became a billionaire because your mother has spent thirty years protecting something people would kill to own."
Alexander opened the file.
Inside were government documents.
Hidden bank transfers.
International contracts.
And one shocking truth.
Evelyn Parker had secretly controlled the family trust since before Alexander turned eighteen.
She owned everything.
Not Alexander.
Not the board.
Not the investors.
Her signature alone controlled over forty billion dollars.
Alexander couldn't speak.
Daniel leaned closer.
"Victoria discovered the truth six months ago."
"So she planned to remove the only obstacle standing between her and the fortune."
Alexander's blood ran cold.
"But if that's true..."
Daniel interrupted him.
"Then ask yourself one question."
"Why didn't Victoria kill your mother sooner?"
Alexander stared silently.
Daniel answered anyway.
"Because..."
"She wasn't working alone."
At that exact second...
Alexander's phone vibrated.
Hospital emergency.
May you like
Evelyn had disappeared.
Without waking up.
