Chapter 74 - THE DOUBLE LIFE
My father finally told us the truth.
He had been investigating Cole for years.
He had deliberately joined his company.
He gained access to financial records.
Secret accounts.
Hidden transactions.
But then Cole discovered his investigation.
“He tried to kill me,” my father said.
“You disappeared.”
“Yes.”
“And Elena?”
“She helped me.”
Elena nodded.
“We staged my death.”
“So everyone would think I was gone.”
“And you?”
“I disappeared too.”
I looked at her.
“Why didn't you take me?”
“You were already being watched.”
She touched my face.
“I knew if I tried to take you, they would follow me.”
“So you left me with Mom.”
“Yes.”
I turned toward the woman who raised me.
She was crying.
“I promised Elena I'd keep you safe.”
I hugged her.
“You did.”
Then Julian asked:
“What happened after that?”
Elena's expression darkened.
“We discovered the network had another leader.”
“Who?”
She opened a file.
There was no photograph.
Only a symbol.
A black circle with a silver line through the middle.
“What is that?”
“The organization calls itself The Circle.”
I stared.
“How many members?”
“We never knew.”
“Then how did you survive?”
Elena looked at me.
“Because someone inside helped us.”
“Who?”
She didn't answer.
Instead, she handed me a photograph.
It showed a young woman.
I looked at her.
Then at my mother.
“Who is she?”
Elena whispered:
“Your aunt.”
My grandfather stepped forward.
“She died.”
Elena shook her head.
“No.”
“She betrayed us.”
“No.”
“She disappeared.”
“Yes.”
“Where is she now?”
Elena looked at me.
“She is the person who sent you the photograph.”
I froze.
“She contacted me?”
“Yes.”
May you like
“Why?”
“Because she knows who leads The Circle.”
