Thomas nodded.
"That's a fair question."
He handed her a small envelope.
Inside was a photograph of a notary stamp, an original company seal, and a handwritten statement signed by Daniel.
There was also a letter from an independent auditor confirming that the original agreement had been prepared and witnessed.
Victoria examined the papers.
She recognized the company seal.
It was the same seal preserved in the company's legal archive.
"Why didn't you bring this to me earlier?"
Thomas looked down.
"I didn't know whether you would believe me."
Victoria felt a sharp pain in her chest.
"Did you ever try?"
Thomas nodded.
"Twice."
"When?"
"Once when you were studying abroad. Another time after you became chief executive."
Victoria remembered receiving an anonymous envelope years earlier.
Her mother had told her it was a scam.
She had thrown it away without reading the contents.
Thomas watched her expression.
"You remember something?"
Victoria nodded slowly.
"My mother told me never to trust anyone who contacted me about my father."
Thomas closed his eyes.
"She knew I was looking."
Victoria felt dizzy.
The entire story of her childhood was beginning to unravel.
And the woman she had trusted most might have been responsible.
CHAPTER 9: THE ARRIVAL OF THE INVESTORS
At 10:15 a.m., three black luxury vehicles pulled into the building's underground entrance.
The investment group's representatives had arrived.
Their leader was Richard Caldwell, a sixty-year-old financier known for acquiring troubled companies and restructuring them for profit.
He had worked with Sterling International for nearly a decade.
Victoria knew him well.
He had always treated her with courtesy.
He had also been one of the people who praised her mother after Daniel's death.
Richard entered the lobby with two associates.
He smiled when he saw Victoria.
"Victoria! Good morning."
"Richard."
He glanced toward Thomas.
His smile disappeared for a fraction of a second.
Then he looked back at Victoria.
"Is everything all right?"
Victoria watched him carefully.
"Yes. We were just discussing some old company records."
Richard's eyes moved toward the briefcase.
"What records?"
"Documents concerning the company's original ownership."
Richard adjusted his tie.
"That's an unusual subject for today."
Victoria said nothing.
Richard smiled again.
"Shall we head upstairs? The board is waiting."
Victoria nodded.
"Of course."
Thomas picked up his briefcase.
One of the guards approached.
"Sir, you cannot enter the executive area."
Victoria raised her hand.
"He is coming with me."
Richard looked surprised.
"Is that really necessary?"
Victoria met his eyes.
"Yes."
Richard's expression became unreadable.
For the first time, Victoria noticed something strange.
He did not seem surprised by Thomas's presence.
He seemed afraid of it.
CHAPTER 10: THE BOARDROOM
The executive boardroom occupied the entire top floor.
A long wooden table stood in the center.
Large windows overlooked the city.
Twelve board members were already seated.
Several lawyers and financial advisers waited near the presentation screen.
Richard entered confidently.
"Good morning, everyone."
Victoria followed him.
Thomas walked behind her, carrying his briefcase.
The board members exchanged confused looks.
One director leaned toward another.
"Who is that?"
Victoria placed her folder on the table.
"Before we begin discussing the acquisition, I would like to address an issue concerning the company's original ownership."
Richard immediately interrupted.
"Victoria, we have already reviewed the historical records."
"I know."
"Then perhaps we should stay focused on the current transaction."
Victoria opened the folder.
"That is exactly what I intend to do."