Chapter 6 - THE DEAD MAN AT THE WINDOW
By sunrise, the story of Ethan’s failed wedding was everywhere.
But the headlines had changed.
At midnight, he had been the billionaire abandoned in a wheelchair.
By morning, photographs of Maya kissing his cheek had turned the disaster into gossip.
WHO IS ETHAN CALDWELL’S MYSTERY WOMAN?
SECRET ROMANCE BEHIND HALE WEDDING COLLAPSE?
Ethan stared at the television.
“This is absurd.”
Maya stood in his kitchen holding coffee.
“One article says I’m a Swedish heiress.”
“Are you?”
“I wish.”
Another headline appeared.
BANQUET SERVER STEALS BILLIONAIRE GROOM.
Maya nearly choked.
“I didn’t steal you.”
Ethan looked at her.
“No?”
She met his eyes.
Something shifted.
Then Daniel entered and ruined it.
“We found Victor Hale.”
Ethan turned.
“Alive?”
Daniel placed a photograph on the table.
An elderly man entering a private medical facility in Wisconsin two months earlier.
Victor Hale.
Vanessa’s grandfather.
“He disappeared nine years ago,” Daniel said. “His family claimed he died overseas.”
“Why fake his death?”
“Federal investigation.”
Maya frowned.
“He hid.”
“Exactly.”
Daniel continued.
“Robert Caldwell was investigating Victor before Martin took over the family companies.”
Ethan opened the ledger.
“If Victor is alive, he may be the person behind everything.”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
Daniel showed them another photograph.
Victor Hale standing beside Robert Caldwell.
Not enemies.
Smiling.
The image was dated two months before Robert’s death.
Ethan stared.
“My father was working with him?”
“Or pretending to.”
A buzzer sounded.
Security announced a visitor.
Vanessa.
Again.
Ethan considered refusing.
Then said, “Let her in.”
Vanessa entered wearing ordinary clothes.
No makeup.
No jewelry.
She looked exhausted.
“I know where my grandfather is.”
Daniel immediately moved closer.
“Where?”
“He contacted me.”
“When?”
“Twenty minutes ago.”
She held out her phone.
A message read:
BRING ETHAN THE LEDGER. COME ALONE.
Ethan laughed without humor.
“Convenient.”
Vanessa looked at Maya.
“You think I’m lying.”
Maya replied calmly.
“I think everyone in your family has lied enough that skepticism is appropriate.”
Vanessa flinched.
Then looked at Ethan.
“My grandfather says my father isn’t running this.”
“Then who is?”
“He wouldn’t tell me.”
She swallowed.
“He says someone inside Caldwell Freight has been working with my father for years.”
Ethan’s expression changed.
“My company?”
Vanessa nodded.
“He said your accident was arranged by someone who knew your exact route home.”
Only six people had known Ethan’s schedule that night.
Daniel.
Vanessa.
His executive assistant.
Two operations directors.
And—
Ethan went still.
His uncle.
Charles Caldwell.
His father’s younger brother.
The man who had helped Ethan build the company after Robert died.
The man currently serving as chairman of the board.
Daniel saw his face.
“What?”
Ethan whispered, “Charles knew my route.”
His phone rang.
Charles Caldwell.
Ethan answered slowly.
“Uncle.”
Charles sounded breathless.
“Ethan, where are you?”
“Home.”
“Don’t move.”
“Why?”
A pause.
Then Charles whispered:
“Daniel Cross is the man who sabotaged your brakes.”
Ethan looked directly at Daniel.
Daniel’s face went blank.
May you like
Charles continued.
“And if he’s standing near you right now, do not let him know that I told you.”
