I confronted him.
He told me to stay quiet.
I refused.
If anything happens to me, check the private purchase ledger.
The truth is there.
Daniel."
Vincent's hands went numb.
He remembered the private purchase ledger.
It was kept in a safe.
Only three people knew about it.
Vincent.
Marcus.
And Daniel.
Vincent rushed to his safe.
He opened it.
The ledger was still there.
He turned to the date of the theft.
There it was.
A purchase.
A private buyer.
The buyer's name had been coded.
But the payment amount was enormous.
And beneath it was a handwritten signature.
Marcus Reed.
Vincent sat down.
He suddenly understood.
Marcus had stolen the watch.
He had sold it.
Then he had blamed Daniel.
Why?
Because Daniel had discovered something else.
Vincent turned the page.
Another transaction.
Then another.
Marcus had been secretly selling rare pieces from the company's private inventory.
For years.
The stolen watch was only one item.
Vincent's hands shook.
Daniel had discovered the theft.
Marcus had framed him.
And Vincent had believed the wrong man.
Vincent covered his face.
"God..."
He remembered Daniel standing in front of him fifteen years earlier.
"I didn't steal anything."
Vincent had shouted,
"Then explain where the watch went."
"I can't."
"You expect me to believe that?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I'm telling you the truth."
Vincent had fired him.
Daniel had cried.
Vincent had never seen him cry before.
He had turned away.
Now Vincent understood.
Daniel hadn't been guilty.
He had simply been powerless.
And Vincent had chosen convenience over truth.
The next morning, Vincent called Emily.
She answered.
"Hello?"
"It's Vincent."
Silence.
"I found something."
Emily sat down.
"What?"
"Your father was innocent."
She closed her eyes.
She had hoped for those words.
But hearing them still hurt.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"I found his note."
Emily began crying.
"Where?"
"In my records."
"What did it say?"
Vincent hesitated.
"He said Marcus stole the watch."
Emily wiped her eyes.
"My father told me."
"You knew?"
"Not everything."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I didn't have proof."
Vincent swallowed.
"Come back to the store."
"Why?"
"I owe you something."
"What?"
"The truth."
Emily agreed.
When she arrived, the store was closed.
Vincent was waiting alone.
He looked different.
Older.
Tired.
He wasn't wearing his expensive watch.
He wasn't wearing his jacket.
He looked like an ordinary old man.
Emily walked toward him.
Vincent said,
"I'm sorry."
Emily didn't respond.
"I'm sorry for what I did to your father."
She looked at him.
"Why did you believe Marcus?"
"Because I wanted to."
Emily frowned.
"That's not an answer."
Vincent nodded.
"You're right."
He took a breath.
"Marcus was my closest business partner. I trusted him. Your father had been questioning some of our procedures. I thought he was becoming difficult."
"He was trying to protect you."
"I know."
Vincent's voice cracked.
"I know now."
Emily looked at the wooden box.
Vincent noticed.
"Is that what your father left?"
"Yes."
"Can I see it?"
Emily placed it on the counter.
Vincent stared.
"Open it."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"He said I should only open it when you were ready."
Vincent looked at her.
"I'm ready."
Emily opened the box.
Inside was a small key.