Victor answered after several rings.
"What?"
"We have a problem."
"What kind?"
"Emily Carter has been asking questions."
Victor went silent.
"How much does she know?"
"Enough."
"Who is helping her?"
"Alexander Reed. And possibly Ethan."
Victor swore under his breath.
"Your son?"
"Yes."
"Then this is worse than I thought."
Richard lowered his voice.
"We need to deal with this before the documents reach the authorities."
Victor paused.
"Do you still have the original?"
Richard looked toward the study.
"Yes."
"Then destroy it."
Richard hesitated.
"What about the USB?"
Victor's voice became sharp.
"What USB?"
Richard's expression changed.
He suddenly realized that something was missing.
He rushed toward the study.
The safe was open.
The USB drive was gone.
"Victor," Richard whispered.
"What?"
"Ethan has the files."
There was a long silence.
Then Victor said:
"Your son just became our biggest problem."
CHAPTER 9: THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO SILENCE THEM
Alexander's law office occupied the twenty-third floor of a modern building downtown.
It was not as extravagant as the Whitmore mansion, but it was comfortable, professional, and filled with shelves of legal books.
Emily sat in the conference room with a cup of coffee.
She had barely touched it.
Ethan arrived at 2:15 p.m.
He carried a black briefcase.
When he entered, Emily immediately stood.
He looked uncomfortable.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet."
Emily did not respond.
Ethan placed the briefcase on the table.
"Everything I found is here."
Alexander entered a moment later.
"Let's review the contents."
They opened the briefcase.
Inside were printed financial records, copies of emails, and an encrypted storage device.
Alexander began examining the documents.
The first series of records showed transfers from Whitmore International to Northbridge Consulting.
The second showed payments to several private accounts.
The third contained internal communications between Richard and Victor.
Alexander read one email aloud.
"Victor: The Carter investigation must be finalized before the board meeting. Richard: Ensure the evidence supports the approved narrative. No further discussion."
Emily closed her eyes.
"Approved narrative."
She repeated the words with disgust.
"That's what they called destroying my father."
Ethan looked down.
Alexander continued reviewing the records.
Then he stopped.
"There's a problem."
"What?" Ethan asked.
"These documents prove financial misconduct, but they don't independently prove what happened on the night Thomas died."
Ethan nodded.
"I know."
Emily looked at him.
"Then where is the evidence?"
Ethan removed another folder.
"There's an audio recording."
Alexander opened it.
The recording was dated three days before Thomas died.
Richard's voice was unmistakable.
"Daniel has become unpredictable."
Victor replied.
"He wants to take the documents to the authorities."
Richard said:
"Then make sure he doesn't get the chance."
The recording ended.
Nobody spoke.
Emily's eyes filled with tears.
Alexander replayed the final sentence.
Then he stopped.
"This needs forensic authentication."
Ethan nodded.
"I understand."
Alexander looked at Emily.
"We need to involve the appropriate authorities. We should also contact an independent forensic accountant."
Emily stood.
"Can we do that today?"
"Yes."
Before Alexander could continue, his phone rang.
He answered.
"Alexander Reed."
A male voice spoke rapidly.
Alexander's expression changed.
"Are you sure?"
He listened for another moment.
Then he ended the call.
"What happened?" Emily asked.
"The company has reported that the documents were stolen from a private office."
Ethan frowned.
"That's ridiculous. I own the office."
"Your father has filed a complaint claiming you removed confidential company property."
Ethan laughed without humor.
"Of course he has."
Alexander looked at him.
"He's trying to discredit you before the evidence becomes public."
Emily felt a familiar wave of fear.
"Can he do that?"
"He's trying."
Alexander gathered the documents.
"But we have copies, and we'll establish where they came from."
Ethan looked toward the window.
"My father will never stop."
Emily answered quietly.
"Neither will I."
At 5:40 p.m., Emily received a phone call from her mother.
"Emily?"
"Mom?"
"Where are you?"
"I'm with Alexander."
Her mother sounded frightened.
"Listen carefully. Someone came to the house."
Emily stood.
"What?"
"A man asked about your father's papers. He said he was from the company."
"Did you let him in?"
"No. But he knew your name."
Emily's heart began pounding.
"Are you safe?"
"I think so."
"Lock the doors. Don't open them for anyone."
"Emily, I'm scared."
"I know, Mom. I'll come."
Alexander immediately stood.
"We'll go together."
Ethan reached for his coat.
"I'm coming too."
Emily looked at him.
For a moment, she hesitated.
Then she nodded.
"Fine. But nobody makes decisions without my mother."
They left together.
None of them noticed the black car following them.
CHAPTER 10: THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED TO BE AFRAID
Emily's mother, Susan Carter, lived in a modest two-bedroom house on the outskirts of the city.
The property had once belonged to her parents.
Thomas had renovated it himself.
The garden was small but beautiful, filled with roses and old wooden furniture.
When Emily arrived, Susan was standing behind the front window.
She opened the door immediately.
"Oh, sweetheart."
Emily hugged her.
"Are you okay?"
Susan nodded, although her hands were trembling.
Alexander entered behind them.
Ethan remained near the doorway.
Susan looked at him.
"You're Richard Whitmore's son."
Ethan nodded.
"Yes, ma'am."
She stared at him for several seconds.
Then she said:
"Your father destroyed my husband."
Ethan lowered his eyes.
"I know."
"No, you don't."
Her voice became stronger.
"You don't know what it feels like to watch the person you love become a stranger to the world. You don't know what it feels like to see your child lose faith in everyone because a powerful man decided that your family was disposable."
Ethan accepted every word.
Susan continued.
"Your father took more than money. He took my husband's dignity."
Ethan whispered:
"I'm sorry."
Susan looked away.
"Sorry doesn't bring him back."
"No. It doesn't."
Alexander stepped forward.
"Mrs. Carter, we need to understand what happened the night Thomas died."
Susan closed her eyes.