CHAPTER 11 The Mother Who Stayed Silent
Richard couldn't speak.
His mother stood in front of him.
Alive.
Calm.
And carrying secrets.
"Mom?"
Eleanor looked older than he remembered.
Not weak.
Not fragile.
Just tired.
"I knew this day would come."
Richard's anger immediately replaced his shock.
"You knew?"
Eleanor looked at Sophie.
"I knew someone would eventually tell you."
Richard stepped forward.
"Tell me what?"
She looked at him.
"The truth about Anna."
The name alone changed the atmosphere.
Richard's voice became cold.
"You knew Vanessa was dangerous."
Eleanor didn't deny it.
"Yes."
"Then why did you let her near my daughter?"
Eleanor closed her eyes.
"Because I was trying to protect you."
Richard laughed bitterly.
"Everyone says that."
He pointed toward Sophie.
"Look at her."
Eleanor looked.
And for the first time...
She broke.
"I didn't know it got this bad."
Richard's expression hardened.
"You knew enough."
Silence.
Then Eleanor sat down.
"I made mistakes."
"Tell me everything."
She took a deep breath.
"Vanessa was never interested in you because she loved you."
Richard already knew that.
But hearing it hurt.
"She wanted control over Hale Technologies."
"Why?"
"Because your company owns something more valuable than money."
Richard frowned.
"What?"
Eleanor looked toward the window.
"Information."
Richard waited.
"Years ago, your grandfather created a private system."
"A system?"
"A database."
She looked at him.
"Every business deal. Every political connection. Every secret agreement."
Richard stared.
"Why?"
"Power."
The word hung in the air.
Eleanor continued.
"Anna discovered the database."
Richard remembered the locked room.
The missing pages.
"She tried to expose it."
Eleanor nodded.
"That's why Vanessa wanted her gone."
Richard's hands tightened.
"Are you saying Vanessa killed Anna?"
Eleanor looked away.
"I am saying Vanessa was not alone."
Richard felt cold.
"Who helped her?"
Eleanor didn't answer.
Instead, she reached into her bag.
She pulled out an old envelope.
"This belonged to Anna."
Richard took it.
"Why do you have this?"
"Because Anna trusted me."
Richard looked at her.
"You abandoned her."
Eleanor's eyes filled with regret.
"Yes."
A long silence.
Then she whispered:
"And I have regretted it every day."
Richard opened the envelope.
Inside was a letter.
The first line made him freeze.
"Richard, if you are reading this, it means our daughter has already met the person who wants to take everything from her."
Richard looked at Sophie.
Then back at the letter.
May you like
And he knew.
This was only the beginning.
