Chapter 10: The Enemy Sitting at the Table
The first thing Ethan did was not call the police.
It surprised Rachel.
After everything they had discovered, after the hidden files, the missing evidence, and the person attacking their systems, she expected him to react immediately.
Instead, Ethan stood completely still.
Thinking.
"What are you doing?"" Rachel asked.
"Remembering.""
"Remembering what?""
"Who had access.""
Rachel looked at the computer screen.
"The attack came from inside the company network.""
"Exactly.""
"So someone who works here?""
"Someone who knows how we operate.""
Ethan walked slowly toward the window.
For eleven years, he had built Vance Hospitality Group from nothing.
He remembered every person who joined in the beginning.
The first investors.
The first employees.
The first managers.
The people who believed in his vision before anyone knew his name.
But success changed things.
As the company grew, more people entered.
More executives.
More advisors.
More people who said they were helping him.
The question was no longer:
Who had access?
The question was:
Who had earned his trust?
"Rachel.""
"Yes?""
"I need a complete list.""
"Of what?""
"Everyone who had contact with Sarah before she died.""
Rachel's expression changed.
"Everyone?""
"Everyone.""
She nodded.
Because she understood.
The investigation wasn't about numbers anymore.
It was about people.
And people were always the hardest things to understand.
Two hours later, the list appeared on Ethan's desk.
Hundreds of names.
Executives.
Lawyers.
Accountants.
Business partners.
Friends.
Ethan scanned each one.
Then he stopped.
One name.
David Mercer.
Of course.
But below it was another.
A name that made his stomach tighten.
Victor Hale.
Rachel noticed.
"Who is that?""
Ethan didn't answer immediately.
Because Victor Hale wasn't just another executive.
He was one of the first people to believe in Ethan.
Victor had helped him secure his first major hotel investment.
He had introduced him to wealthy investors.
He had attended Sarah's funeral.
He had stood beside Ethan while everyone told him to move forward.
"He was our financial advisor," Ethan finally said.
"Was?""
Ethan nodded.
"He left the company shortly after Sarah died.""
"Why?""
"He said he wanted to retire.""
Rachel searched quickly.
Then frowned.
"That's strange.""
"What?""
"Victor Hale didn't retire.""
She turned the laptop around.
"He joined another investment firm.""
Ethan looked at the date.
Six months after Sarah's death.
The same time David sold his shares.
The same time money started moving.
A pattern.
Ethan felt something inside him shift.
"Find him.""
Rachel looked concerned.
"Do you think he knows?""
"I think everyone who knew something is either hiding...""
He looked at the list.
"...or afraid.""
That afternoon, Ethan received another call.
This time, it wasn't unknown.
It was Daniel Cross.
The general manager of the Grand Regent.
"Mr. Vance.""
His voice sounded urgent.
"What happened?""
"Someone accessed the hotel's employee records.""
Ethan became serious.
"What did they take?""
"Your private inspection reports.""
"Why?""
"I don't know.""
Ethan closed his eyes.
His inspection reports.
For years, he had secretly visited his hotels.
Not to catch people.
To understand them.
Those reports contained his personal observations.
Including the Grand Regent.
Including the night he arrived.
Including his notes about Patricia, Karla, and Lupita.
Someone was trying to understand his weaknesses.
"Daniel.""
"Yes?""
"Lock everything down.""
"Already done.""
"And don't tell anyone why.""
A pause.
"Not even management?""
"Especially management.""
After hanging up, Ethan sat silently.
Because suddenly, the hotel incident didn't feel random anymore.
The timing was too perfect.
A public embarrassment.
A viral video.
A distraction.
Someone wanted the world focused on the wrong story.
While they searched for something else.
Something hidden.
Something Sarah had died trying to reveal.
That night, Ethan returned home early.
Lily was sitting at the kitchen table drawing again.
"Daddy!""
He smiled.
"Hey, sweetheart.""
She held up a picture.
"Look.""
He looked.
This time, there were four people.
Ethan.
Lily.
Sarah.
And another person.
A man.
"Who is this?""
Lily shrugged.
"I don't know.""
Ethan stared at the drawing.
"Where did you see him?""
"In Mommy's picture.""
His heart stopped.
"What picture?""
"The one in the old box.""
Ethan immediately stood.
"What old box?""
Lily looked confused.
"The one Mommy kept under the bed.""
Ethan had no idea what she meant.
Because after Sarah died, he had packed away many things.
But there was one box he never opened.
The things that were too painful.
He went upstairs.
Found the box.
And opened it.
Inside were photographs.
Letters.
Small memories.
Then he found something strange.
A sealed envelope.
With his name written on it.
Not Ethan.
Not Daddy.
Just:
*For Ethan.*
His hands trembled.
Because he recognized Sarah's handwriting.
He opened it.
Inside was one sentence.
*"If something happens to me, do not trust the person who tells you everything is okay.""*
Ethan stared.
Then another line.
*"The person closest to us is the one who knows exactly how to hurt us.""*
His breathing became heavier.
Because Sarah knew.
She knew someone close was dangerous.
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Who?
