Chapter 7: The Man Behind the Curtain
The black SUV stopped at the edge of the street.
Nobody stepped out.
Nobody needed to.
Daniel knew.
Preston.
Andre grabbed his arm.
“Move.””
They rushed through the alley behind the building.
Claire followed.
“Where are we going?””
Andre pointed ahead.
“There’s a storage building nearby.””
Daniel looked back.
“You’re sure?””
“No.””
Andre’s voice was grim.
“But I’m sure staying here is worse.””
They reached the abandoned warehouse five minutes later.
Inside, old equipment covered the floor.
Andre locked the door.
Daniel looked at him.
“You knew this place existed?””
“I used it years ago.””
“For what?””
Andre didn’t answer.
That answer was enough.
Daniel looked around.
“You helped him.””
Andre looked away.
“Yes.””
The admission hung between them.
Claire stepped forward.
“Then tell the whole truth.””
Andre nodded.
“I was desperate.””
He explained everything.
After Daniel left their company, Andre partnered with Preston.
At first, it seemed harmless.
Preston wanted access to clients.
Connections.
Information.
Then the requests changed.
Fake invoices.
Hidden payments.
Pressure campaigns against competitors.
“And when I tried to leave,” Andre said, “he reminded me he owned the paperwork.””
Daniel stared.
“What paperwork?””
Andre looked at the flash drive.
“Everything.””
The warehouse door suddenly shook.
Everyone froze.
A voice came from outside.
“Daniel.””
Preston.
“You’re making this much harder than it needs to be.””
Claire whispered:
“He followed us.””
Daniel stepped toward the door.
“No.””
Andre grabbed him.
“Don’t.””
Preston laughed outside.
“You really think Andre is helping you?””
Daniel looked at Andre.
“What does that mean?””
The door rattled again.
“Ask him what happened six years ago.””
Andre closed his eyes.
Daniel felt his stomach drop.
“What is he talking about?””
No answer.
Preston continued.
“Ask him who gave me your financial records.””
Daniel turned.
“Andre?””
Andre said nothing.
That silence was worse.
The door shook again.
Daniel stepped back.
“Tell me.””
Andre finally spoke.
“I did.””
Claire looked shocked.
“Why?””
Andre’s eyes filled.
“Because Preston promised he would leave Daniel alone.””
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“And you believed him?””
“No.””
Andre looked at him.
“I just hoped.””
The door burst open.
But nobody entered.
Only a phone slid across the floor.
Daniel picked it up.
A video played automatically.
It showed Andre meeting Preston six years earlier.
Handing him documents.
Daniel watched his younger self walk into his old office.
Unaware.
Betrayed.
Then the video stopped.
May you like
A message appeared:
*You were never fighting Preston. You were fighting the person you trusted most.*
