"It was my father's."
Richard reached toward it.
Noah pulled it back.
"Don't touch it."
Richard frowned.
"Why?"
"Because you already think I stole it."
Silence.
That sentence landed harder than anyone expected.
Noah closed the case.
"I'll leave."
Richard stepped forward.
"Wait."
Noah looked at him.
Richard wasn't sure what had changed.
The symbol on the watch bothered him.
He had seen it on something important.
Something extremely important.
He couldn't remember.
Then the front door opened.
An older man entered.
He was around seventy years old.
His silver hair was neatly combed.
He wore a dark gray suit.
He walked with a cane.
Two assistants followed behind him.
Richard immediately recognized him.
Mr. Edward Sterling.
One of the most influential collectors of luxury watches in the country.
And one of the biggest clients of the boutique.
Richard hurried toward him.
"Mr. Sterling."
Edward nodded.
"Good morning."
"It's an honor."
Edward smiled.
Then he noticed the police officers entering.
His expression changed.
"What happened?"
Richard started explaining.
"We have a situation with a suspicious customer."
Edward looked toward Noah.
Then he froze.
Noah looked at him.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Edward's eyes moved to the velvet case.
"Where did you get that?"
Noah didn't answer.
Edward walked closer.
His cane tapped against the marble floor.
"Young man."
Noah looked at him.
"Where did you get that watch?"
"It belonged to my father."
"What's your father's name?"
Noah hesitated.
"Michael Bennett."
Edward stopped.
The color disappeared from his face.
"Michael..."
He looked at Noah carefully.
"What was his full name?"
"Michael James Bennett."
Edward took a step backward.
One of his assistants caught his arm.
"Sir?"
Edward stared at Noah.
"No."
Richard looked confused.
"Mr. Sterling?"
Edward whispered,
"That's impossible."
Noah frowned.
"What?"
Edward looked at the watch.
Then at Noah.
"Where is your mother?"
Noah swallowed.
"She died when I was twelve."
"And your father?"
"Four years ago."
Edward closed his eyes.
For a moment, he looked devastated.
Then he whispered,
"Michael never told me he had a son."
Noah stared at him.
"You knew my father?"
Edward nodded.
"We were brothers."
The room went silent.
Noah's mouth opened slightly.
"What?"
Edward looked at him.
"Your father was my younger brother."
Noah shook his head.
"My father said he had no family."
Edward looked heartbroken.
"He thought I abandoned him."
"Did you?"
Edward looked down.
"No."
"Then why?"
Edward took a deep breath.
"Because our father forced us apart."
Noah listened.
"Our father owned the company that became Sterling Time."
Edward pointed toward the store.
"This entire business began with him."
He looked at the watch.
"Your father was supposed to inherit half."
Noah looked stunned.
"But he walked away."