"Stop."
"She was supposed to inherit the family fortune, but she fell in love with a man Alessandro considered an enemy."
Adrian shook his head.
"Stop talking."
"She became pregnant. Your grandfather wanted the child hidden because he believed the marriage would weaken the family."
Thomas continued despite Adrian's growing anger.
"Your father helped her escape. He promised he would protect her."
Adrian looked at the photograph.
"And?"
Thomas's eyes filled with tears.
"And he failed."
For eleven years, Thomas had carried a secret that had nearly destroyed him.
Elena had not died in an accident.
She had been murdered.
And the man responsible had been someone the Moretti family trusted.
Someone who still stood close to the family.
Victor Hale.
...
Victor's expression changed the moment Thomas spoke his name.
"That's enough."
Adrian turned slowly.
"What did you just say?"
Victor took a step toward Thomas.
"He's confused. The old man has been living on the streets. You can't believe everything he says."
Thomas looked at him.
"Eleven years, Victor. I wondered how long you would pretend."
Victor's face darkened.
"You should have stayed hidden."
Adrian stood.
"Why is he afraid of you?"
Victor did not answer.
"Victor."
The older man looked at Adrian.
"Your father trusted me to protect this family."
"Then explain why Thomas says you murdered Elena."
Victor laughed.
"Because he needs someone to blame."
Thomas reached into his coat again.
This time, he removed a small metal key.
He placed it beside the photograph.
"Your mother gave me this before she died."
Adrian looked down.
"What does it open?"
"A safety deposit box."
"Where?"
"At the old central bank."
Victor suddenly moved.
He reached for the key.
But Adrian was faster.
He grabbed Victor's wrist and pushed him backward.
"Don't."
The entire restaurant froze.
Victor looked at the young man.
"You have no idea what you're doing."
Adrian's voice was cold.
"Then explain it to me."
Victor stared at him for several seconds.
Then he looked toward the exit.
Outside, a black SUV had stopped at the curb.
Two men stepped out.
They were wearing dark suits.
Victor smiled faintly.
"You should call your father."
Adrian took out his phone.
"I intend to."
But before he could make the call, Thomas collapsed.
His knees buckled.
Clara rushed toward him.
"Sir!"
She caught his shoulder before his head struck the table.
Adrian immediately knelt beside them.
"Mr. Carter?"
Thomas struggled to breathe.
His face had turned pale.
Clara grabbed a glass of water, but Adrian shook his head.
"Call an ambulance."
Victor looked annoyed.
"We don't have time for this."
Adrian turned toward him.
"Get out."
Victor hesitated.
"Adrian—"
"Get out of my sight."
Victor slowly backed away.
He left through the front door.
Clara watched the black SUV pull away from the curb.
Then she looked down at Thomas.
His eyes were barely open.
He reached for her hand.
"Elena..."
Clara leaned closer.
"What?"
"Find... the girl..."
Adrian bent down.
"What girl?"
Thomas struggled to speak.
"The daughter..."
His voice faded.
Then his eyes closed.
...
The ambulance arrived twelve minutes later.
Thomas was taken to Saint Mary's Hospital.
Adrian followed in his car.
Clara was about to return to the restaurant when the young man stopped her.
"You're coming with me."
She frowned.
"I'm not."
Adrian looked surprised.
"Excuse me?"
"I have a job."
"Your manager fired you."
"I'll find another one."
"You're involved now."
Clara laughed bitterly.
"I gave an old man a cheeseburger. I didn't sign up for whatever this is."
Adrian looked at her.
For a moment, he seemed almost amused.
Then his expression softened.
"You're right."
He reached into his jacket and took out a business card.
"Take this. If anyone asks you about Thomas Carter, call me."
Clara accepted it reluctantly.
"Why would anyone ask me?"
Adrian looked toward the street.
"Because you were the last person he trusted."
Then he walked away.
Clara stood in the restaurant doorway, holding a card that carried the name of one of the most powerful men in the city.
She had no idea that her simple act of kindness had just placed her at the center of a family war.
...
At Saint Mary's Hospital, Thomas Carter regained consciousness shortly after midnight.
Adrian was sitting beside his bed.
He had removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves.
A doctor had explained that Thomas was severely malnourished and dehydrated. His body was weak, but there was no immediate sign of a life-threatening emergency.
Adrian waited until the doctor left.
Then he leaned forward.
"Tell me everything."
Thomas stared at the ceiling.
"Your father should be here."
"He's recovering."
"Then take me to him."
Adrian shook his head.
"Not until I know why Victor wanted you dead."
Thomas slowly turned toward him.
"Because I know who ordered Elena's murder."
Adrian's expression hardened.
"Who?"
Thomas closed his eyes.
"Your grandfather."
Adrian said nothing.
"Your grandfather believed Elena had become a danger to the family. She had discovered that he was using the company's shipping network to move weapons and money through legitimate commercial channels."
Thomas continued.
"She threatened to expose everything."
Adrian stared at him.
"My grandfather died fifteen years ago."
"Yes."
"Then how could he have ordered her murder eleven years ago?"
Thomas looked at him.
"Because the man who carried out the order was still alive."
"Victor."
Thomas nodded.
"But Victor wasn't acting alone."
Adrian leaned forward.
"Who else?"
Thomas swallowed.
"Alessandro."
Adrian stood so quickly that his chair fell backward.
"No."
Thomas did not look away.
"Your father knew."
"You're lying."
"Your mother found evidence. Elena found the same evidence years later. Alessandro knew what the family had done, and he chose the empire over his own sister."
Adrian's hands curled into fists.
"Why would he kill his own sister?"
Thomas looked exhausted.
"Because Elena had a daughter."
Adrian went completely still.
"A daughter?"
Thomas nodded.
"She was born shortly before Elena died."
"Where is she?"