Now he understood.
His father had been trying to protect him.
But protection had never erased the pain.
Daniel looked at his mother.
"Why did you never confront Arthur?"
"I wanted to. More than once. But your father asked me not to."
"Why?"
"Because he believed Arthur had been manipulated too."
Daniel frowned.
"After everything that happened?"
Eleanor nodded.
"Your father believed that Richard was responsible, but he also believed Arthur was too proud to admit he had been wrong."
Daniel looked at the letter again.
Seek justice, but do not become cruel.
He slowly folded it.
"I need to go back."
Eleanor looked concerned.
"Back where?"
"To the hospital."
"Daniel, you don't have to carry this responsibility."
"I know."
He stood.
"But Dad spent the last years of his life carrying something that wasn't his fault. If I can help uncover the truth, I want to do it."
His mother embraced him.
"Then promise me something."
"What?"
"Whatever happens, don't lose yourself."
Daniel nodded.
"I promise."
Before leaving, he placed the letter carefully inside his jacket.
For the first time, he was no longer simply helping Arthur Bennett.
He was seeking justice for his father.
And that made the entire situation far more personal than he had ever imagined.
When Daniel returned to the hospital, Victoria was waiting outside Arthur's room.
She immediately stood.
"I'm glad you came back."
Daniel nodded.
"I need to hear everything."
Victoria opened the door.
Arthur was sitting upright in bed. His face looked tired, but his eyes were clear.
Daniel approached the bed.
"I spoke to my mother."
Arthur looked down.
"She told you about Michael?"
"Yes."
Arthur swallowed.
"I deserve your anger."
"Probably."
"I wish I could change what happened."
"But you can't."
"No."
Daniel took out his father's letter.
"My father never hated you. At least, that's what my mother believes."
Arthur looked at the envelope.
"Michael was a better man than I ever deserved to work with."
"Then help me understand what happened."
Arthur nodded.
He began explaining the events of twenty-five years earlier.
Richard had originally joined Bennett Development as a financial consultant. He was intelligent, persuasive, and exceptionally good at identifying opportunities.
Arthur admired his ambition.
Michael, meanwhile, was responsible for overseeing project expenses and supplier payments.
One day, Michael discovered that several invoices were fraudulent.
The companies listed as suppliers did not exist.
Money was being transferred to accounts controlled by people connected to Richard.
Michael confronted him.
Richard denied everything.
Then he began creating false records.
He altered documents, manipulated electronic files, and arranged for suspicious transactions to appear under Michael's authorization.
When the accusations reached Arthur, Richard presented a convincing collection of evidence.
Arthur believed him.
He signed the termination documents.
Michael lost his job.
And Richard remained in the company.
"Why didn't you investigate properly?" Daniel asked.
Arthur lowered his head.
"Because I was afraid."
"Of what?"
"Of discovering that the company I had spent my life building was being destroyed from within. I trusted Richard because I wanted to believe he was loyal."
Daniel looked at him.
"So you chose the easier explanation."
Arthur nodded.
"Yes."
Victoria was crying quietly.
Arthur continued.
"Years later, I found inconsistencies in the old records. I began reviewing archived files. Eventually, I discovered that Richard had fabricated evidence against Michael."
Daniel felt his jaw tighten.
"How long did you know?"
"Three years."
"Three years?"
Arthur looked ashamed.
"I tried to gather enough evidence to expose him. But every time I got close, important documents disappeared."
Daniel stood.
"You knew my father had been innocent for three years, and you never contacted us?"
Arthur's eyes filled with tears.
"I was ashamed."
"That doesn't bring him back."
"I know."
Daniel walked toward the window.
Arthur did not try to defend himself.
Finally, he said, "The recording is on the phone. It contains Richard admitting that he arranged the false accusations against Michael."
Daniel turned.
"Can we listen to it?"
Victoria brought the phone over.
Arthur gave her the password.
The screen opened.
Inside the recording folder were three audio files.
Victoria selected the first.
A man's voice emerged.
It was unmistakably Richard.
"The Carter situation was handled years ago. Nobody is going to reopen it. The documents were signed, the investigation was closed, and Michael is gone."
Another voice responded.
"What if Arthur finds the original payment records?"
Richard laughed.
"Then we'll make sure he doesn't live long enough to show anyone."
The recording ended.
Nobody spoke.
Daniel felt his entire body become cold.
The man who had threatened him at the restaurant was not simply a dishonest businessman.
He was someone willing to destroy lives to protect his wealth.
Victoria replayed the final seconds.
Richard's voice sounded even more disturbing the second time.
Arthur looked at Daniel.
"Now you understand why I was afraid."
Daniel nodded slowly.
"We need to take this to the police."
Arthur agreed.
"But first, we need to find the original records."
"Where are they?"
Arthur looked toward the bedside cabinet.
"Inside a safe deposit box."
Victoria frowned.
"You never told me about that."
"Because I wanted to keep you away from this."
"Where is it?"
Arthur gave her a key.
"At the old Bennett Development headquarters. The box is in the basement archive room."
Daniel examined the key.
"What exactly is inside?"
"Original invoices, bank transfer records, signed correspondence, and the documents Richard used to frame Michael."
Victoria looked at her father.