CHAPTER 5: The Man Everyone Thought Was Dead
Three days after Richard Ashford's funeral, the world believed the billionaire had taken every secret to his grave.
But Lily knew better.
With FBI Director Daniel Brooks beside her, she traveled to Ashford Manor.
Hidden beneath the mansion's century-old library was a steel door no one had opened in twelve years.
Lily inserted the golden key.
A mechanical voice echoed through the chamber.
"Identity confirmed."
The vault slowly opened.
Rows of hard drives, classified files, and stacks of cash lined the walls. In the center stood a single glass case containing a black leather folder marked:
PROJECT PHOENIX
Daniel carefully opened it.
His face instantly turned white.
"This... this can't be possible."
Inside was Emily Carter's complete investigation.
Every murder.
Every bribe.
Every corrupt official.
Every crime committed by Victoria's secret organization.
But one document froze Lily in place.
It was her birth certificate.
The name under Mother read:
Emily Carter.
The name under Father had been completely blacked out.
Suddenly, the vault speakers crackled to life.
Richard's recorded voice filled the room.
"Lily... if you're hearing this, I didn't survive."
"There was only one way to protect you."
"The man listed as your father officially died eleven years ago..."
"But his death was staged."
Lily's heart pounded.
"He's... alive?"
Richard continued.
"He's the only person powerful enough to destroy Victoria forever."
Before the recording could reveal his identity...
The vault doors slammed shut.
The lights went black.
A slow clap echoed through the darkness.
One...
Two...
Three.
A familiar woman's voice laughed.
"Did you really think I'd let you find him first?"
Emergency lights flickered on.
Victoria stepped out of the shadows, surrounded by heavily armed mercenaries.
She smiled as she aimed a pistol directly at Lily.
Then a deep male voice echoed from behind everyone.
"Put the gun down... or you're the one who dies tonight."
Every head turned.
Standing at the entrance was a tall man wearing a black tactical coat.
His face was covered by shadows.
Victoria's confident smile instantly disappeared.
She whispered in horror,
"Impossible... We buried you."
The mysterious man slowly removed his hood.
Lily gasped.
She had never seen him before.
Yet the stranger looked exactly like the photographs of her mother.
He looked at Lily with tears in his eyes and said,
"I've been searching for you since the day you were born..."
May you like
"...because I'm your father."
To Be Continued...
