Chapter 11: The Secret Behind My Father’s Death
I couldn't move.
The words repeated in my head.
Your father did not die because of an accident.
For years, I had accepted the story.
A tragic accident.
A bad night.
A terrible loss.
Nobody ever suggested there was something else.
Nobody ever told me there were questions.
"Grandma...""
My voice barely worked.
"Are you saying Dad was murdered?""
Her eyes filled with tears.
"No.""
The answer came quickly.
Almost desperately.
"I don't know.""
That somehow hurt more.
Because uncertainty was worse.
"You don't know?""
She shook her head.
"Your father died before I could find the truth.""
I sat down.
My entire understanding of my childhood had shifted.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because you were a child.""
"I was seventeen when you started keeping these secrets.""
She looked down.
"I know.""
I wanted to be angry.
I was angry.
But seeing her sitting there, looking smaller than I had ever seen her, made it difficult.
"Tell me everything.""
She was quiet.
Then she began.
"Your father discovered financial problems inside the company.""
"The same ones from Grandpa's time?""
She nodded.
"But he found something else.""
"What?""
"A pattern.""
I frowned.
"What kind of pattern?""
"Every time someone got close to exposing the truth, something happened.""
I felt cold.
"Something?""
"People lost jobs. Documents disappeared. Witnesses changed their stories.""
I thought about Victor.
Michael.
My father.
Everyone connected to the company seemed surrounded by secrets.
"Who was behind it?""
Grandma looked at me.
"Your father suspected someone.""
"Who?""
She hesitated.
Then:
"Someone you know.""
My heart dropped.
"Who?""
Before she could answer, the front door opened.
We both turned.
Vanessa and Marcus walked in.
Their faces were serious.
"What happened?"" I asked.
Marcus looked at Grandma.
"We need to talk.""
I immediately knew something was wrong.
"What now?""
Marcus placed his phone on the table.
On the screen was a news article.
My eyes moved over the headline.
LOCAL BUSINESS LEGEND ACCUSED OF FRAUD AFTER NEW EVIDENCE SURFACES.
Below it was a photo.
My grandfather.
I felt sick.
"What is this?""
Marcus looked at me.
"It was posted an hour ago.""
"Who posted it?""
"We don't know.""
I read the article.
It claimed my grandfather had hidden financial problems.
That the company had survived through questionable decisions.
That the family had covered things up.
None of it made sense.
"These are lies.""
Marcus nodded.
"I think so.""
I looked at him.
"You think?""
He looked uncomfortable.
"Because there are documents.""
My stomach dropped.
"What documents?""
"Real ones.""
Vanessa stepped forward.
"Someone leaked them.""
I looked at Grandma.
Her expression told me everything.
She knew.
"Who?""
She didn't answer.
That was enough.
"Grandma.""
Finally, she whispered:
"Victor.""
I stood.
"Why would he do this now?""
Robert called me before she could answer.
I picked up.
"Hello?""
His voice was urgent.
"Daniel, you need to get to the office.""
"Why?""
"Because the board is meeting.""
"About what?""
A pause.
Then:
"They want to remove you.""
I felt numb.
"What?""
"Victor filed a claim.""
"What claim?""
"That your grandfather's inheritance was obtained through manipulation.""
I laughed in disbelief.
"That's impossible.""
"I know.""
"Then why are they listening?""
Robert's voice lowered.
"Because someone inside the company is supporting him.""
My eyes moved to my family.
"Who?""
"I don't know yet.""
The call ended.
I looked at everyone.
My family.
The people I loved.
The people who had lied.
The people who had protected me.
And now someone among us might be destroying everything.
At the company, the atmosphere had completely changed.
Employees whispered as I walked by.
Some avoided looking at me.
Others looked sorry.
The boardroom was full.
Victor was sitting at the end of the table.
Like he belonged there.
Robert stood beside me.
"This meeting is unnecessary.""
Victor smiled.
"That's your opinion.""
I sat down.
"Why are you doing this?""
Victor looked at me.
"Because your grandfather made mistakes.""
"You mean because he beat you?""
His smile disappeared.
Good.
I had hit something.
"You don't understand what happened.""
"Then explain.""
Victor leaned forward.
"Your grandfather was a great man.""
The room became quiet.
"But great men can make terrible decisions.""
I stared at him.
"What decision?""
He looked around.
"Trusting the wrong people.""
The irony was obvious.
But before I could respond, someone entered.
Everyone turned.
My heart stopped.
Michael.
He walked into the room.
Victor's expression changed.
"You're supposed to be gone.""
Michael looked at him.
"So are you.""
The room froze.
Robert whispered:
"What is he doing here?""
Michael walked to the table.
"I have proof.""
Victor stood.
"Don't.""
Michael ignored him.
He placed a folder down.
"The documents Victor used to accuse your grandfather.""
Everyone looked.
"What about them?""
Michael opened the folder.
"They're fake.""
Silence.
Then chaos.
Everyone started talking.
Victor's face turned pale.
"That's impossible.""
Michael looked directly at him.
"No.""
May you like
A pause.
"It's exactly what you did twenty years ago.""
