Chapter 8: The Man Who Never Died

The basement suddenly felt smaller.

The walls seemed closer.

I looked at the man standing above us.

Richard Hale.

My father’s attorney.

The man who had supposedly died in a car accident four years ago.

The man who had handled every piece of my father’s estate.

“You’re alive,” I whispered.

Richard smiled.

“Surprised?””

I looked at Michael.

Then Vanessa.

Then back at Richard.

“How many people have been lying to me?””

Richard walked down the stairs.

“Almost everyone.””

My anger burned.

“You helped them.””

“I guided them.””

Vanessa stepped forward.

“Richard, stop.””

Her voice sounded different.

Not confident.

Afraid.

Richard looked at her.

“You were always too emotional.””

That sentence made me realize something.

Vanessa wasn’t the mastermind.

She was a piece.

A dangerous piece.

But still a piece.

“Why?”” I asked.

Richard looked at the letter in my hand.

“Because your father built something worth billions.””

I laughed.

“And this was about money?””

“It was always about money.””

He stopped in front of me.

“Your father wanted you to inherit everything.””

I looked at Michael.

“And that made him angry.””

Richard nodded.

“Michael deserved more.””

I shook my head.

“No. He wanted more.””

Richard smiled.

“Exactly.””

Lily held onto my hand.

I lowered myself beside her.

“Stay behind me.””

Michael watched.

For a second, I thought I saw regret.

Then it disappeared.

Richard noticed.

“You see? That’s why Michael failed.””

Michael looked at him.

“What?””

“You always cared too much.””

Michael’s face changed.

“You said I was the rightful heir.””

“I said what you needed to hear.””

The betrayal hit him instantly.

For the first time, Michael looked powerless.

Vanessa whispered:

“You used all of us.””

Richard shrugged.

“Of course.””

I looked at Vanessa.

“Why did you do it?””

She looked at the floor.

“I thought Daniel would love me if Emily disappeared.””

The honesty shocked me.

“You destroyed a family because you wanted a marriage?””

Her eyes filled with tears.

“I was tired of being second.””

I almost couldn’t believe it.

Everyone in my life had been fighting to be first.

And nobody cared about what they destroyed.

Richard reached for the folder.

“Give me the documents.””

I stepped back.

“No.””

His expression hardened.

“Daniel.””

“No.””

The word echoed.

Then Lily spoke.

“He doesn’t have the real one.””

Everyone looked at her.

I frowned.

“What?””

Lily pointed at the folder.

“Mommy told me.””

Richard stepped closer.

“Where is it?””

Lily smiled nervously.

“Somewhere you’ll never find.””

Richard’s face changed.

“What did she do?””

I realized something.

Emily had planned ahead.

She knew this day might come.

A siren sounded outside.

Richard froze.

Then Michael looked toward the window.

“You called the police.””

I looked at him.

“No.””

A voice came from the stairs.

“Yes, I did.””

Emily stood there.

Alive.

Stronger.

And beside her were police officers.

Richard stared.

“How?””

Emily smiled.

“Because I knew you would all come here.””

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