Chapter 9: The Real Enemy
The man walking toward us looked nothing like Vanessa.
No expensive smile.
No polished charm.
No performance.
Just cold confidence.
Adrian Carlisle.
Vanessa’s older brother.
The son Richard had always said was “too brilliant to stay in one place.””
The son who had supposedly moved overseas years ago.
The son nobody expected to see.
Richard stared.
“Adrian?””
Adrian smiled.
“Hello, Father.””
Vanessa looked terrified.
“You can’t be here.””
Adrian looked at her.
“That’s interesting.””
He glanced around the terrace.
“Because I was about to say the same thing.””
Nobody understood.
Except Vanessa.
She knew.
And that scared me.
Richard stepped forward.
“You disappeared.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Adrian smiled.
“Because you told everyone I was the problem.””
Richard looked confused.
“What?””
Adrian laughed quietly.
“Don’t act surprised.””
He looked around.
“Everyone here knows the story of Vanessa, the spoiled daughter who made mistakes.””
His eyes moved to her.
“But nobody talks about the son who was pushed aside.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“Adrian, stop.””
“No.””
His voice became colder.
“Tonight everyone gets the truth.””
Daniel stepped between him and me.
“Who are you?””
Adrian looked at him.
“Someone who knows where all the bodies are buried.””
The phrase made everyone uncomfortable.
Thomas tightened his grip on his cane.
“You shouldn’t have come.””
Adrian looked at him.
“You should have stayed quiet.””
Thomas’s expression changed.
“You threatened me.””
Adrian smiled.
“Yes.””
The admission shocked everyone.
Vanessa stared at him.
“You were the one?””
Adrian looked at her.
“The one what?””
“The one who made everyone afraid.””
He walked closer.
“Vanessa, you really thought you were in control?””
Her face changed.
“You used me.””
“Of course.””
The honesty was terrifying.
“You were desperate for Father’s approval. You wanted power. I gave you a path.””
Richard looked horrified.
“You manipulated your sister?””
Adrian shrugged.
“I gave her what she wanted.””
“No.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“You destroyed my life.””
Adrian looked amused.
“Your life was already built on lies.””
I watched him carefully.
This was the person behind everything.
Not because he was stronger.
Because he understood people.
He knew exactly what weaknesses to use.
Daniel quietly said:
“Emma, stay behind me.””
But I couldn’t move.
Because Adrian was looking directly at me.
“You’re Emma Hayes.””
My stomach tightened.
“How do you know me?””
He smiled.
“Because your father talked about you constantly.””
The words felt like a knife.
“You knew my father?””
Adrian nodded.
“Very well.””
I stepped forward.
“Then tell me what happened.””
He looked at Vanessa.
Then at Richard.
Then back at me.
“I will.””
A pause.
“But first…”
He reached into his coat.
He pulled out a small envelope.
My heart stopped.
Because I recognized the handwriting.
My father’s handwriting.
Adrian held it up.
“Your father left this for you.””
I stared at the envelope.
“Why do you have that?””
Adrian smiled.
“Because he trusted the wrong person.””
The terrace went silent.
May you like
Then he looked at Vanessa.
“And she was not the only one who betrayed him.””
