Chapter 8: The Enemy Inside the Family
The police found no signs of forced entry.
That somehow made everything worse.
Because whoever entered Grandma's room hadn't broken anything.
They knew exactly how to get inside.
They knew where to look.
And they knew what they wanted.
The next morning, Robert arrived before breakfast.
When Grandma called him, he was there within twenty minutes.
That told me everything.
This wasn't normal.
This wasn't just a family argument.
This was something much bigger.
Robert inspected the room carefully.
"What was taken?""
Grandma looked at the open box.
"Nothing.""
I frowned.
"Nothing?""
She nodded.
"Not exactly.""
Robert looked at her.
"What does that mean?""
Grandma walked to the closet.
She picked up a small envelope from the bottom shelf.
"This.""
Robert's expression changed.
"What is that?""
"Something your grandfather left behind.""
I stared.
"Another letter?""
"No.""
Grandma held it tightly.
"A key.""
My stomach dropped.
"A key?""
She nodded.
"Your grandfather always believed that information was more valuable than money.""
She looked at the envelope.
"He never kept important things in one place.""
Robert sighed.
"Where is the other piece?""
Everyone looked at him.
"What other piece?"" I asked.
Robert looked uncomfortable.
"The key opens something.""
"What?""
He looked at Grandma.
She answered.
"The original company vault.""
Nobody spoke.
Marcus laughed once.
A nervous laugh.
"You're telling me Grandpa had a secret vault?""
Grandma nodded.
"Yes.""
"Where?""
She looked at me.
"That is what someone was trying to find.""
The room became silent.
I suddenly understood.
Whoever broke in wasn't looking for money.
They were looking for information.
Something Grandpa had hidden.
Something important enough that someone was willing to invade Grandma's home.
"Does Victor know about the vault?""
Robert didn't answer.
That was enough.
"He does.""
My hands tightened.
"How?""
Robert looked at Grandma.
She sighed.
"Because Victor helped build it.""
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"He knew everything?""
"Almost.""
"Almost?""
Grandma looked at the key.
"Your grandfather always kept one secret from everyone.""
"What?""
She looked at me.
"The location.""
That should have made me feel better.
It didn't.
Because if Victor knew about the vault, he would keep searching.
And now he knew I was involved.
Later that afternoon, I returned to the company.
I needed answers.
Not theories.
Not family stories.
Facts.
I found Robert in his office.
"Tell me everything.""
He looked up.
"Daniel—"
"No.""
I sat down.
"I need the truth.""
He studied me.
Then slowly nodded.
"You're right.""
He opened a file.
"This is the original company history.""
I read through it.
The company had started small.
Grandpa and Victor had built it from nothing.
But then, fifteen years after opening...
Something happened.
A major investor pulled out.
Contracts disappeared.
Employees left.
The company almost collapsed.
"Why?""
Robert pointed to one document.
"Someone leaked confidential information.""
"Victor?""
Robert shook his head.
"No proof.""
"But you think it was him.""
"I think your grandfather thought it was him.""
I continued reading.
Then I saw something.
A date.
The same week my father argued with Grandpa.
"Wait.""
I looked at Robert.
"My father was involved.""
Robert became silent.
"Yes.""
"How?""
He leaned back.
"Your father discovered something.""
"What?""
"That Victor had been moving company money.""
I froze.
"So Dad knew?""
"Yes.""
"Then why does the document have his signature?""
Robert sighed.
"Because your father tried to stop him.""
I looked confused.
"Then why did Grandpa write that letter?""
"Because your father made a mistake.""
"What mistake?""
Robert looked at me.
"He covered it up.""
The words hit me.
"What?""
"Your father believed he was protecting the company. He erased evidence of Victor's actions because he thought exposing Victor would destroy everything.""
I sat there silently.
"So Grandpa wasn't angry because Dad betrayed him.""
"No.""
Robert looked at me.
"He was angry because your father carried the burden alone.""
I looked down.
Everything I believed was changing.
My father wasn't the villain.
But he wasn't completely innocent either.
He had made choices.
Dangerous ones.
"Why didn't anyone tell us?""
Robert looked sad.
"Because your grandfather wanted to protect your father.""
"And after he died?""
"Your grandmother kept the promise.""
I stood.
"What promise?""
Robert looked at me.
"Your grandfather asked her not to reveal the truth until the family was ready.""
I laughed bitterly.
"Ready?""
Nobody was ready.
Not me.
Not Vanessa.
Not Marcus.
A knock interrupted us.
Robert's assistant entered.
"Mr. Hayes?""
"Yes?""
"There is someone here to see Daniel.""
I frowned.
"Who?""
The assistant hesitated.
Then said:
"Victor Carter.""
My stomach dropped.
"Why?""
The assistant looked nervous.
"He says he wants to help you.""
I almost laughed.
After everything?
Victor wanted to help?
I walked toward the door.
Robert grabbed my arm.
"Daniel.""
I looked at him.
"Be careful.""
I nodded.
Then I stepped outside.
Victor was waiting.
He smiled.
"Daniel.""
"What do you want?""
He looked around.
Then lowered his voice.
"To tell you the truth your grandmother doesn't want you to know.""
I stared at him.
"And why would I believe you?""
His smile disappeared.
"Because your grandmother isn't the only person who kept secrets.""
He handed me an envelope.
My name was written on it.
Again.
But this time...
May you like
The handwriting wasn't Grandpa's.
It was my father's.
