CHAPTER 4: The Trap Was Already Waiting
David pulled the curtains shut.
The black SUV remained parked across the street.
Its engine idled.
Its headlights stayed off.
Whoever was inside wasn't hiding anymore.
They wanted David to know he was being watched.
Emma hugged Ethan tightly.
"We're calling the police."
David nodded, but the lawyer grabbed his arm.
"No."
David frowned.
"What do you mean, no?"
The lawyer sighed.
"Victor has friends everywhere. If he planned this for fifteen years, don't assume he didn't plan for today."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Then the lawyer reached into an old cabinet and removed a dusty lockbox.
"This belonged to your father."
Inside was an old flip phone.
A silver key.
And one handwritten note.
'If Victor ever finds you... call only this number.'
David switched on the phone.
To everyone's surprise...
It still had battery.
Only one contact was saved.
GUARDIAN
His finger hovered over the call button.
Then...
Someone knocked on the front door.
Three slow knocks.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Everyone froze.
Another knock followed.
"Dad..." Ethan whispered. "Don't open it."
David slowly approached the door and looked through the peephole.
An elderly mailman stood outside holding a small package.
No delivery truck.
No postal bag.
Just one small box.
David opened the door carefully.
The old man smiled.
"Package for Mr. David Carter."
"I didn't order anything."
"You didn't."
The mailman handed him the box.
"But your father did."
Before David could ask another question...
The old man walked away.
He climbed into a plain white sedan and disappeared around the corner.
David rushed back inside.
The package contained only one object.
A gold pocket watch.
When he opened it...
a tiny folded photograph fell onto the table.
Emma gasped.
It showed Victor...
shaking hands with a powerful U.S. senator.
Behind them stood several executives from the very bank that had seized David's company.
On the back of the photo were eight chilling words:
"Trust no one whose name is public."
Before anyone could react...
The lights suddenly went out.
The entire house went dark.
Outside...
the black SUV's doors opened.
Four men wearing black stepped out.
And one of them quietly said into his radio—
May you like
"Move in. The envelope is inside."
To Be Continued...
