Her papers were scattered across the floor.
And the older man appeared more concerned about controlling her than about the fact that he was hurting her.
Alexander immediately stepped forward.
"Let her go."
Richard turned toward him.
"Alexander? This is none of your business."
Alexander ignored him.
He looked at Emily.
"Are you hurt?"
Emily nodded weakly.
Richard released her arm, but only because Alexander had moved between them.
"Stay out of this," Richard said.
Alexander looked at the torn fabric.
"Did you do that?"
"She attacked me!"
Emily stared at him in disbelief.
"That's not true!"
Richard pointed toward her.
"She came into my home, insulted me, and started causing trouble."
Alexander shook his head.
"I saw what happened."
Richard's expression changed.
"You saw nothing."
"I saw you grabbing her."
"She was trying to steal company property."
"Then you call security. You don't put your hands on her."
Richard laughed bitterly.
"You think you can lecture me?"
Alexander took another step forward.
"I think you need to step away from her."
The two men stood face to face.
Richard was older, but he still possessed the imposing presence of a man who had spent decades exercising authority over others.
Alexander, meanwhile, seemed completely unafraid.
Emily moved behind him.
She was trembling.
"Alexander," she whispered.
He turned slightly.
"Stay behind me. You're safe."
Those four words nearly brought her to tears.
For the first time in years, somebody had stepped between her and the person trying to intimidate her.
Richard noticed the change in her expression.
"Don't pretend to be her hero," he said. "You don't know this woman."
Alexander replied calmly.
"I know enough."
"She is a liar."
"Then prove it."
Richard stared at him.
"What?"
"Show us the evidence. If she is lying, show us the documents. If she has stolen something, call the police. But you are not going to intimidate her in front of me."
Richard's face turned red.
"You arrogant little fool."
He shoved Alexander's shoulder.
Alexander stepped backward but maintained his balance.
"Don't do that again."
Richard moved closer.
"Or what?"
Alexander looked toward the security cameras.
"Or everyone in this house will have a recording of what you've just done."
Richard glanced upward.
His expression changed.
There were cameras everywhere.
And for the first time, he realized that he might not be able to control the story.
He turned toward Emily.
"You have ruined everything."
Emily wiped her tears.
"No, Mr. Whitmore. You did that yourself."
Richard raised his hand.
Alexander immediately caught his wrist.
"Enough!"
The older man tried to pull free.
In the struggle, Richard lost his balance and stumbled backward. He struck the edge of a nearby table and fell onto the floor.
A shocked silence filled the hallway.
Alexander released his wrist immediately.
"Are you all right?"
Richard groaned.
A woman rushed out of the adjoining room.
"Richard!"
She was Margaret Whitmore, his wife.
She dropped to her knees beside him.
"Oh my God! What happened?"
Richard pointed toward Alexander.
"He attacked me!"
Margaret looked up.
"Alexander, what have you done?"
Alexander's expression was controlled.
"He was hurting Emily."
"That doesn't give you the right to touch my husband!"
"I didn't attack him. He lost his balance when he tried to pull away."
Emily stepped forward.
"I saw everything. Richard grabbed me first."
Margaret looked at her.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Emily Carter."
The older woman's face suddenly changed.
"Carter?"
Emily nodded.
Margaret stared at her for several seconds.
Then she looked at Richard.
"Is she Thomas Carter's daughter?"
Nobody answered.
But the silence was enough.
Emily noticed it immediately.
"You know my father?"
Margaret looked away.
Richard groaned again.
"Call an ambulance!"
Alexander pulled out his phone.
While he contacted emergency services, Emily picked up the scattered documents.
One sheet had landed beneath the table.
She reached for it.
Then she stopped.
At the bottom of the page was a signature.
A signature she recognized.
It belonged to her father.
But the date was impossible.
The document had supposedly been signed six months after Thomas Carter had died.
Emily felt her stomach tighten.
Someone had forged her father's signature.
And suddenly, she understood why Richard had been so desperate to take the papers away.
CHAPTER 3: THE SIGNATURE OF A DEAD MAN
The ambulance arrived twelve minutes later.
Richard was examined by the medical team before being transported to the hospital for further evaluation.
Margaret followed him.
Alexander remained behind with Emily.
The police had also arrived, and both witnesses were asked to provide statements.
Emily sat on a sofa near the entrance.
Her blouse was damaged, and she had wrapped a light jacket around her shoulders.
Alexander approached with a glass of water.
"Here."
"Thank you."
He sat in the chair opposite her.
"Are you hurt?"
"My arm hurts a little."
"We should have that checked."
"It's nothing."
"Emily, someone just grabbed you and tore your clothing. Don't minimize what happened."
She looked at him.
There was no judgment in his voice.
Only concern.
For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
Then she asked, "Why did you help me?"
Alexander seemed surprised.
"Because he was hurting you."
"Most people would have walked away."
"Then most people need to start making better decisions."
Emily lowered her eyes.
"Thank you."
He nodded.
"You're welcome."
A police officer approached.
"Miss Carter, we need your statement."
Emily stood.
"Of course."
Before following him, she turned toward Alexander.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"Why did Margaret recognize my father's name?"
Alexander hesitated.
"I don't know."
But he did.
At least, he knew part of the answer.
Years earlier, Alexander had represented a small group of investors in a legal dispute involving Whitmore International.
During that case, he had discovered irregularities in the company's financial records.
The name Thomas Carter had appeared repeatedly.
However, before Alexander could investigate further, the company had settled the dispute privately.
The settlement had included a confidentiality agreement.