The second showed the ownership records of several consulting companies.
The third contained internal messages between Marcus and Daniel.
Ethan studied them.
"How long have they been doing this?"
"At least three years."
"Three years?"
Rebecca nodded.
"Possibly longer."
She opened another document.
"And there's something else."
Ethan leaned forward.
"What?"
"Look at the final authorization."
He examined the document.
His eyes widened.
The transfer of twelve million dollars had been approved using his electronic signature.
But the timestamp showed that the authorization occurred while Ethan was attending a conference in California.
He had proof that he was nowhere near the company's office.
"Someone used my credentials."
"Yes."
"Can we prove it?"
Rebecca opened another file.
"Your access logs, travel records, and the building's security footage all contradict the authorization."
Ethan leaned back.
"Then why did Eleanor believe them?"
Rebecca hesitated.
"Because someone showed her a manipulated report."
Ethan looked at her.
"Who?"
Rebecca turned the laptop around.
The report contained an email from an account belonging to Marcus Williams.
"He created the entire investigation," Rebecca explained. "He collected selected documents, altered the timestamps, and presented them as evidence against you."
Ethan stared at the screen.
"That's not all," Rebecca added.
She opened another folder.
Inside was an old company registration document.
Ethan noticed a familiar name.
"Who is that?"
Rebecca looked at him carefully.
"Your father."
Ethan went completely still.
"My father?"
"Yes."
She pointed to the document.
"His name was Thomas Miller. He was one of the original founders of Harrison International."
Ethan stared at her.
"That's impossible."
"Your father owned a significant percentage of the company before he disappeared."
Ethan shook his head.
"My mother told me he left us."
"Maybe he did. But the records suggest that he was forced out after a dispute with Eleanor's husband."
Ethan stood.
"Why didn't my mother tell me?"
Rebecca closed the laptop.
"I don't know."
Ethan looked through the window.
The rain had stopped.
But his entire understanding of his life had just changed.
CHAPTER 7: THE WOMAN IN THE PHOTOGRAPH
That evening, Ethan visited his mother.
Sarah Miller lived in a modest apartment outside the city.
She was sixty-two years old and had spent most of her life working hard to raise her children.
When Ethan entered, she immediately noticed his injured face.
"Oh my goodness. What happened?"
"Work."
"Work?"
He tried to smile.
"Don't worry. I'm okay."
Sarah brought him a glass of water.
Then she noticed his expression.
"What is it?"
Ethan sat down.
"Mom, I need to ask you something."
She looked at him.
"Of course."
"Who was my father really?"
Sarah froze.
The glass in her hand trembled.
"Why are you asking?"
"Because I found his name in some company records."
She slowly placed the glass on the table.