Chapter 3 - The Woman in the Hidden Photograph
By midnight, a video of Alex dancing with Elena had reached every major gossip account in Manhattan.
The headlines were merciless.
BILLIONAIRE HEIR HUMILIATES HER RICH SUITOR—THEN REVEALS HER IDENTITY.
A $50,000 CHALLENGE TURNS INTO A SOCIAL NIGHTMARE.
WHO IS THE WOMAN WHO MADE A WHITMORE BEG?
Alex ignored every call from Vanessa and drove straight to his father's mansion.
Richard Whitmore was waiting in his study.
At sixty-two, Richard possessed the polished manners of a gentleman and the cold eyes of a man who had spent his life buying whatever he couldn't control.
He stood behind his desk, holding a tablet displaying the viral video.
“You made a fool of yourself,” Richard said.
“That's what you're worried about?”
“Your behavior has consequences. Investors are calling. Our board members want explanations. And now Elena Ashford has decided to turn a family gathering into a public spectacle.”
“She mentioned Grandfather Ashford's death.”
Richard stopped moving.
Only for a moment.
But Alex noticed.
“She has a photograph of the mechanic who worked on his car,” Alex continued. “She knows about the payment.”
Richard placed the tablet on his desk.
“Your grandfather was a businessman. Businessmen make enemies.”
“That isn't an answer.”
“It's the only answer you need.”
Alex had never challenged his father so directly. He expected anger, perhaps a threat.
Instead, Richard opened a drawer and removed an old photograph.
Two men stood beside a yacht: Richard in his twenties and Elena's grandfather, Arthur Ashford, with one arm resting on his shoulder.
Between them stood a young woman wearing a white dress.
Alex recognized her immediately.
His mother.
“She worked for the Ashfords before she married me,” Richard said. “Arthur helped us build our first company. Without him, we would have remained ordinary people.”
“Then why are you afraid of Elena?”
Richard's face darkened.
“Because her grandfather made a terrible mistake before he died.”
“What mistake?”
“He changed his will.”
Alex frowned.
Richard slid another document across the desk. It was a copy of an old agreement involving several Ashford properties and Whitmore Holdings.
“Arthur promised your grandfather that our families would share ownership of a development worth billions. After the accident, the agreement disappeared.”
“And you think Elena has it?”
“I know she does.”
Alex stared at him.
“How?”
Richard leaned forward.
“Because your mother stole it from Arthur's study the night he died.”
The room seemed to tilt.
“My mother died when I was twelve.”
“Yes.”
“Are you saying she was involved?”
Richard didn't answer.
Instead, he opened a second drawer and removed a tiny silver key.
“Your mother left this for you. I was told never to give it to you unless Elena returned.”
Alex took the key.
On its surface were two engraved letters.
E.A.
May you like
And beneath them, in handwriting he recognized from his mother's birthday cards, were five words.
Find the daughter he abandoned.
