CHAPTER 4 — The Secret That Changed Everything
The entire country watched Daniel Ashford's miraculous return.
Television stations replayed the cliff footage every hour.
People praised him as a genius.
But Daniel knew...
The real danger wasn't over.
Because Claire and Jason had never acted alone.
Two days after their arrest...
Detective Rebecca Collins entered Daniel's office carrying a sealed evidence box.
"We found something in Jason's apartment."
Daniel looked up.
Inside the box was a satellite phone.
A second passport.
And dozens of encrypted payment records.
Rebecca's expression darkened.
"Someone paid them."
Daniel frowned.
"For what?"
She slid one photograph across the table.
Daniel's blood ran cold.
The man in the picture...
Was his younger brother.
Michael Ashford.
The only family member who had supported him after his accident.
"No..."
Daniel whispered.
"It can't be."
Meanwhile...
Inside the county jail...
Claire sat alone.
The cell door opened.
A lawyer entered.
"I represent someone who wants to help you."
She looked up hopefully.
"Who?"
The lawyer smiled.
"If you stay silent..."
Your sentence will disappear.
If you speak...
You'll never leave prison alive."
Claire's face turned pale.
Someone outside...
Was still pulling the strings.
That same night...
Daniel received another anonymous package.
Inside...
A single chess piece.
The black king.
Beneath it...
A note.
"You won the battle. Not the game."
Daniel immediately recognized the handwriting.
Only one person wrote the letter "Y" that way.
Michael.
His own brother.
For the first time since surviving the murder attempt...
Daniel felt real fear.
The following morning...
Michael appeared at Daniel's mansion.
Smiling.
Carrying breakfast.
Exactly like old times.
"I heard you're doing better."
Daniel forced a smile.
"So did I."
The brothers hugged.
Neither trusted the other anymore.
May you like
And both knew it.
END OF CHAPTER 4
