Richard stood in the middle.
The third man was Daniel's father, Michael Carter.
Richard stared at the photograph for a long time.
Nobody knew the full story of what had happened twenty-five years earlier.
Not even Arthur.
Michael Carter had been more than an employee. He had been the person who discovered the first fraudulent transaction in the company.
He had confronted Richard privately.
He had threatened to expose him.
But before he could do so, Michael disappeared from the company.
The official explanation was that he had resigned.
The truth was much darker.
Richard had arranged for Michael to be blamed for financial misconduct. False documents had been created, evidence had been manipulated, and the honest man had lost his job and reputation.
Arthur had believed the allegations.
For years, Michael had carried the shame of a crime he had never committed.
He died without ever telling his son the full story.
Richard had assumed the past was buried.
Now, by an extraordinary coincidence, Michael's son had become involved in the same investigation.
Richard closed the drawer.
"Unbelievable," he whispered.
He picked up his phone and dialed a number.
"James, we need to talk."
Meanwhile, at St. Mary's Hospital, Arthur finally woke up.
His daughter was sitting beside the bed.
"Dad?"
Arthur opened his eyes slowly.
"Victoria?"
She immediately leaned forward.
"You're awake. How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been hit by a truck."
She laughed through her tears.
"Don't joke. You scared me."
Arthur tried to sit up, but she gently stopped him.
"Take it easy."
He looked around.
"Where's Daniel?"
Victoria smiled.
"He's here. He brought your phone."
Arthur's expression became serious.
"Did anyone touch it?"
"James tried to take it."
Arthur closed his eyes.
"James..."
"What's wrong?"
"Victoria, listen carefully. We cannot trust everyone who claims to be helping us."
She frowned.
"Are you talking about James?"
Arthur did not answer immediately.
Instead, he looked toward the door.
"Is it locked?"
"Yes."
He lowered his voice.
"Then call Daniel. I need to speak to him."
A few minutes later, Daniel entered.
Arthur looked at him with a mixture of gratitude and concern.
"You came."
"Of course, sir."
"Sit down."
Daniel pulled a chair closer to the bed.
Arthur studied him.
"Do you know why I asked you to keep that phone?"
"Because it contains evidence?"
Arthur nodded.
"Evidence that could destroy a very powerful man."
Daniel glanced at Victoria.
Arthur continued.
"Richard Collins has spent years building an empire on lies. He stole from people who trusted him. He destroyed innocent lives. And when I finally discovered the truth, he tried to stop me."
Daniel listened carefully.
"Why didn't you go to the police?"
"I wanted to be certain. Richard has friends in places where ordinary people don't have access. I needed evidence that couldn't be dismissed or manipulated."
He paused.
"There's a recording on that phone."
Victoria moved closer.
"What recording?"
Arthur looked at his daughter.
"A conversation between Richard and someone who helped him move the money."
"Who?"
Arthur's voice dropped.
"James Wilson."
Victoria froze.
"That's impossible."
"I wish it were."
Daniel remembered the lawyer reaching for the phone.
Suddenly, everything made sense.
Arthur continued.
"James has been feeding information to Richard. He knows about the investigation. He knows about the documents. And he knows where the evidence is hidden."
Victoria looked devastated.
"How long have you known?"
"Only recently."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I wanted to protect you."
Victoria's eyes filled with tears.
"Dad, you can't protect me by keeping me in the dark."
Arthur reached for her hand.
"I know. I'm sorry."
Daniel sat silently.
He had entered this situation because an old man had fallen in a restaurant.
Now he was hearing about corruption, betrayal, and a conspiracy involving people who had known each other for decades.
Arthur turned toward him.
"Daniel, I need you to understand something. You don't owe me anything."
Daniel looked surprised.
"You helped me when everyone else looked away. You could have walked away. You could have protected your job. Instead, you chose to help a stranger."
Arthur took a breath.
"I don't want your life destroyed because of my mistakes."
Daniel thought about his mother.
Then he thought about the old man lying helplessly on the restaurant floor.
"I'm not doing this for money or recognition, sir."
"Then why?"
Daniel answered honestly.
"Because someone should have helped you."
Arthur stared at him.
For a moment, the old man's eyes became wet.
"Your father would have been proud of you."
Daniel's heart skipped.
"What did you say?"
Arthur looked at him.
"Your father. Michael Carter."
Daniel slowly stood.
"How do you know my father?"
Arthur's face changed.
He looked away.
"Because I knew him very well."
"Where?"
"At Bennett Development. He worked for me many years ago."
Daniel's voice became tense.
"My father never mentioned working for your company."
Arthur closed his eyes.
"There's a reason for that."
"What reason?"
Arthur looked back at him.
"Because I failed him."
The room fell silent.
Daniel felt as though someone had suddenly opened a door to a past he had never known existed.
"What happened to my father?"
Arthur struggled to answer.
"Michael was an honest man. Too honest for the people he worked with."
Daniel stepped closer.
"Please tell me the truth."
Arthur looked at Victoria.
Then back at Daniel.
"Your father discovered Richard's first major fraud. He tried to report it. But Richard framed him instead."