Chapter 5: The Family Secret
Nobody spoke after Brooke said those words.
Her mother.
That was the connection.
Not business.
Not money.
Family.
I looked at the photograph again.
Brooke’s mother, Victoria Parker, was sitting across from my uncle at a restaurant three weeks before my accident.
They looked serious.
Like two people discussing something they never wanted anyone else to hear.
“Your mother knew my uncle?”” I asked.
Brooke shook her head quickly.
“I don’t know.””
“Brooke.””
Her eyes filled with fear.
“I swear I didn’t.””
Marcus leaned against the desk.
“Victoria Parker and Richard Vance had history.””
“What kind of history?””
He opened another file.
“Twenty years ago, your uncle was investigating financial problems within the foundation.””
I looked at him.
“And?””
“And someone moved millions of dollars through fake charity accounts.””
The room felt colder.
My uncle built his reputation on helping people.
If someone had stolen from the foundation, it would destroy everything he created.
“Who was responsible?””
Marcus looked at me.
“That’s what Richard was trying to find out.””
Chad suddenly spoke.
“This is insane.””
Everyone looked at him.
He shook his head.
“You’re blaming people based on old documents and guesses.””
Marcus turned.
“You seem very interested in protecting this family.””
Chad smiled.
“Maybe I’m just the only reasonable person here.””
I noticed something.
He was nervous.
Not angry.
Nervous.
“Chad,” I said.
He looked at me.
“How long have you known Victoria Parker?””
His face changed.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
Brooke saw it too.
She slowly turned toward him.
“What?””
Chad said nothing.
“Chad,” Brooke repeated.
His jaw tightened.
“Your mother and I have spoken before.””
Brooke looked shocked.
“Why?””
“That doesn’t matter.””
“No,” she said.
“It matters.””
Her voice cracked.
“Why were you talking to my mother?””
Chad looked away.
That was when Brooke realized.
She wasn’t just caught between two men.
She had been used too.
Marcus checked his phone.
“I need to show you something.””
He opened an email.
A video file.
“Where did you get that?”” I asked.
“From a hidden account connected to the same person who sent the photograph.””
I pressed play.
The video was shaky.
Dark.
But the voices were clear.
A man.
A woman.
Planning something.
Then I heard a voice I knew.
Chad.
My chest tightened.
“I’m telling you, Ethan won’t sell.””
A woman answered.
“Then make him understand what happens when he refuses.””
The video paused.
Brooke stared at Chad.
“No.””
Chad stepped forward.
“That’s not what you think.””
“What am I supposed to think?””
He ran a hand through his hair.
“You don’t understand.””
“Then explain!””
He looked at her.
For a moment, he seemed like he wanted to tell the truth.
Then his expression changed.
The mask returned.
“I did what I had to do.””
Brooke stepped back.
“You were involved.””
He didn’t deny it.
I felt something inside me break.
Not because Chad betrayed me.
I never trusted him.
But Brooke…
She knew.
Maybe not everything.
Maybe not the entire plan.
But she knew enough to leave.
Enough to choose herself.
“Why?”” I asked her.
She looked at me.
“What?””
“Why did you abandon me?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Because I was afraid.””
“Afraid of what?””
She whispered:
“That I would become responsible for you.””
The honesty hurt more than another lie.
I nodded slowly.
“At least now I know.””
A loud sound interrupted us.
The office lights flickered.
Then went out.
Everyone froze.
Outside, the ballroom erupted with confusion.
Daniel opened the door.
The hallway was dark.
Then someone screamed.
A security alarm began ringing.
Marcus immediately pulled out his phone.
“Everyone stay here.””
“What happened?”” I asked.
He looked toward the ballroom.
“The person who sent that video just entered the building.””
A cold feeling moved through me.
“Who?””
Marcus stared at the security monitor.
The screen flickered back on.
A figure walked through the entrance.
Holding a folder.
Walking directly toward us.
Then the camera focused.
And I recognized the face.
May you like
My uncle.
Richard Vance.
