Chapter 9: The Enemy Inside The Empire
Daniel spent the next hour locked inside his office.
The photograph sat on the desk.
The symbol stared back at him.
A reminder of a past he thought was buried.
Lily stood near the window.
Noah sat beside her.
The three of them looked like a family.
But Daniel knew better.
Families could hide the deepest betrayals.
“Tell me everything,” Daniel said.
Lily turned.
“I already did.””
“No.””
Daniel shook his head.
“Tell me what you didn’t say.””
She looked hurt.
“I was trying to protect you.””
“That’s what everyone says.””
The words came out harsher than he intended.
Lily looked down.
Daniel immediately regretted it.
But the damage was done.
After fourteen years apart, they were still learning how to speak to each other.
Noah quietly stood.
“I’m going to get water.””
Daniel watched him leave.
Then lowered his voice.
“I lost you once.””
Lily looked at him.
“I can’t lose you again.””
Her expression softened.
“Dad…”
“Please.””
A long silence.
Then Lily finally spoke.
“Your father knew about Noah before he died.””
Daniel froze.
“What?””
“He knew I was pregnant.””
“How?””
“Alexander told him.””
Daniel felt sick.
“Why?””
Lily looked at the floor.
“Because your father wanted Noah raised as a Cross.””
Daniel frowned.
“He was my grandson.””
“No.””
Lily shook her head.
“He wanted him as an asset.””
Daniel’s face hardened.
“That’s impossible.””
“I wish it was.””
She walked to the desk and opened the old company file.
Inside was a document.
Daniel read the title.
*Cross Legacy Initiative.*
His stomach tightened.
“What is this?””
“A plan.””
“For what?””
Lily looked at him.
“To create the next generation of Cross leadership.””
Daniel scanned the pages.
Inheritance structures.
Education plans.
Private evaluations.
Then he saw a section labeled:
*Subject: Noah Miller Cross*
Daniel’s hands shook.
“They knew his name.””
Lily nodded.
“They planned his life before he was born.””
A knock interrupted them.
Noah returned.
But something was wrong.
He was holding a phone.
Not his.
Daniel stood immediately.
“Where did you get that?””
Noah looked nervous.
“It was outside the door.””
Daniel took it.
The screen was already open.
A message appeared.
*Bring Noah to the old greenhouse. Alone.*
Daniel’s face changed.
“Who sent this?””
Noah shook his head.
“I don’t know.””
Lily saw the message.
Her face went pale.
“No.””
Daniel looked at her.
“What?””
“That place.””
“What about it?””
Lily stepped back.
“That’s where Alexander took me before I disappeared.””
The room went silent.
Daniel gripped the phone.
“Why would he send Noah there?””
Lily whispered:
“Because he wants what your father wanted.””
Daniel looked at Noah.
“What?””
Lily’s eyes filled with fear.
“To control the future heir.””
Daniel immediately called security.
But before anyone answered, the office lights flickered.
The phone screen changed.
A new message appeared.
This time, only three words.
*You are too late.*
Daniel looked at Noah.
Then at Lily.
A terrible realization entered his mind.
The person behind everything had never been trying to hide.
They wanted Daniel to find the truth.
They wanted him angry.
They wanted him searching.
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Because while Daniel was uncovering the past…
Someone was moving toward Noah.
