Chapter 11 - THE SECRET BURIED WITH HIS FATHER
Alexander Vale had spent twenty-three years believing his father died from a heart attack.
Now Sofia was telling him the truth might be far darker.
"Elena knew my father?"
Sofia nodded.
"Before she worked for you."
Alexander frowned.
"How?"
"Her mother worked for the Vale family."
His expression changed.
"My father employed dozens of people."
"Elena's mother was different."
Sofia hesitated.
"She was his private accountant."
Alexander's chest tightened.
The name returned.
Margaret Bennett.
A quiet woman who worked for his father when Alexander was young.
She'd disappeared from the company shortly before his death.
He had never asked why.
Sofia continued.
"Margaret discovered financial records showing Victor's father had been stealing from the Vale businesses."
Alexander stared.
"Victor's father?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't anyone report it?"
"Your father was preparing to."
Alexander closed his eyes.
Then Sofia said:
"He died before he could."
The room went silent.
Alexander slowly sat down.
For years, he'd believed his father died naturally.
Now he understood that Victor Kane's family had been involved in the Vale empire long before Victor became his security chief.
Sofia continued.
"Elena found her mother's old files."
"Where?"
"In a storage archive."
"And?"
"They contained evidence suggesting your father's death was deliberately arranged."
Alexander covered his face.
His father.
His brother.
His wife.
Elena.
The children.
All connected to one family of criminals who'd spent decades feeding on the Vale fortune.
Then Sofia whispered:
"Victor wanted Elena because she had the original records."
Alexander looked up.
"Where are they?"
Sofia hesitated.
"I don't know."
He thought about Leah's necklace.
Julian's key.
The old safe.
Then he remembered something.
Julian had worked with Elena before the warehouse fire.
He'd discovered Victor's financial crimes.
Perhaps he'd hidden copies of the records.
Alexander stood.
"I think I know."
The next morning, investigators accompanied Alexander to the old Vale headquarters.
The building had been closed for years.
Dust covered the floors.
Old photographs hung along the corridors.
Alexander walked toward Julian's former office.
The small safe remained behind a wooden cabinet.
Leah's key fit.
Alexander's hands trembled as he opened it.
Inside were several folders.
A sealed envelope.
And a small recording device.
He recognized Julian's handwriting.
For Alexander.
His heart tightened.
He opened the envelope.
Brother,
If you're reading this, then I didn't survive.
I know we argued.
I know you believed I was trying to destroy everything you built.
But I was trying to save you.
Alexander's eyes filled.
The letter continued.
Victor has been using the company to conceal financial fraud and unlawful medical transfers.
Our father's death was not natural.
Elena Bennett has copies of the evidence.
Protect her.
Alexander closed his eyes.
His brother had been trying to protect the family.
And Alexander had pushed him away.
Then he read the final paragraph.
There's one more truth you need to know.
Victor has been secretly monitoring the children of anyone who could testify against him.
Alexander's stomach tightened.
He thought about Leah.
Maya.
Noah.
All tracked.
All threatened.
May you like
Then the letter ended with a name.
"If Elena disappears, find the woman called Celia. She's the only person Victor has never managed to identify."
