Everything was beginning to connect.
Then James noticed something unusual.
"Wait."
He enlarged the document.
"The final page has been modified."
Michael leaned forward.
"What does that mean?"
"Someone removed a section from the original report."
"Can you recover it?"
James shook his head.
"Not from this copy. But there may be another version stored in the original archive."
Sarah looked toward Thomas.
"My father told me the complete report was hidden somewhere at Sterling Global."
Michael immediately stood.
"Then we'll find it."
But James stopped him.
"Sir, there's a problem."
"What?"
"Someone has already requested access to the archive."
Michael's face hardened.
"Who?"
James turned the screen.
The access request showed the name:
VICTORIA HARRINGTON.
Michael looked at his father.
"She's trying to destroy the evidence."
Thomas quietly replied:
"Then you must stop her."
Michael nodded.
"Not just for us, Dad. For Daniel."
Victoria sat in her apartment, staring at the city lights.
Her phone rang.
Daniel Reeves.
She answered.
"Did you get the documents?"
Daniel sounded nervous.
"Not yet."
Victoria closed her eyes.
"What do you mean, not yet?"
"Michael has restricted access to the archive. Legal is monitoring every request."
Victoria stood.
"You told me you could handle this."
"I can, but things have changed."
"Then change them back."
Daniel hesitated.
"Victoria, we need to talk about the old payments."
She turned toward the window.
"What about them?"
"The original records show that money was transferred through the consulting company I established."
Victoria's voice became sharp.
"Keep your voice down."
"I'm serious. If investigators discover those transfers, we're both in trouble."
Victoria laughed bitterly.
"Daniel, you have been receiving payments for years. Don't suddenly pretend you have a conscience."
"I didn't know the money was connected to the accident."
Victoria became silent.
Daniel continued.
"My father told me what happened shortly before he died. He said the original safety reports were deliberately hidden."
Victoria gripped the phone.
"Your father was a weak man who couldn't accept his mistakes."
"Maybe. But he tried to tell the truth."
Victoria's expression hardened.
"Listen carefully. You are going to recover those documents. Once we have them, we will destroy every connection between us."
Daniel hesitated.
"And if I refuse?"
Victoria's voice became cold.
"Then you will discover how quickly I can make you responsible for everything."
She ended the call.
For several seconds, she stood motionless.
Then she opened her laptop.
A draft email was already prepared.
It contained allegations that Michael had misused company funds to support his father and manipulate the board.
Victoria intended to send it to every major investor.
If the scandal became public, the board might remove Michael before he could complete his investigation.
She attached several fabricated documents.
Then she clicked send.
Within minutes, the first messages began arriving.
URGENT: ALLEGATIONS OF FINANCIAL MISCONDUCT AT STERLING GLOBAL.
Meanwhile, at the company headquarters, Michael was sitting with James when his phone began ringing repeatedly.
Investors.
Board members.
Journalists.
His executive assistant rushed into the office.
"Mr. Bennett, we have a serious problem."
Michael looked up.
"What happened?"
"An anonymous email has been sent to several major investors. It accuses you of using company funds to secretly pay your father."
Michael stood.
"That's a lie."
"I know, sir. But the email contains financial documents."
James immediately examined the attachments.
His face became serious.
"These records have been altered."
Michael looked at him.
"Can you prove it?"
"Yes. But we need the original transaction records."
Michael looked toward the conference room.
"Get the board together."
James nodded.
Then another call came through.
It was from Thomas.
Michael answered immediately.
"Dad?"
Thomas sounded frightened.
"Michael, someone is outside my house."
Michael's heart dropped.
"What?"
"I saw a car parked across the street. Two men have been watching the house."
"Are you inside?"
"Yes."
"Lock the doors. Don't open them for anyone. I'm coming."
Michael grabbed his jacket.
James stood.
"What's happening?"
"Someone is threatening my father."
James immediately called security.
Michael rushed toward the elevator.
But before the doors closed, his phone received another message.
It was a photograph of Thomas standing outside his house earlier that morning.
Beneath it were six words.
STOP THE INVESTIGATION OR HE PAYS.
Michael stared at the screen.
His face became pale.
For a moment, he was no longer the powerful CEO of Sterling Global.
He was simply a son who feared losing his father.
He called Thomas again.
"Dad, listen to me. I'm on my way."
Thomas tried to remain calm.
"Michael, don't do anything foolish."
"I won't let anyone hurt you."
"Promise me something."
"What?"
"Whatever happens, don't let hatred decide who you become."
Michael closed his eyes.
"I promise."