CHAPTER 9 The Betrayal Inside The Family

Richard couldn't believe it.

His lawyer.

Thomas Reed.

The man who handled his contracts.

His company.

His family's legal matters.

A man who had been beside him for fifteen years.

Marcus watched his reaction.

"I know what you're thinking."

Richard looked at him.

"Tell me I'm wrong."

Marcus remained silent.

That silence was the answer.

Richard immediately called Thomas.

"Meet me."

An hour later, Thomas entered Richard's office.

He smiled.

"Everything okay?"

Richard placed the altered report on the table.

The smile disappeared.

For the first time...

Thomas looked nervous.

"Where did you get this?"

Richard leaned forward.

"Why did you change Anna's accident report?"

Thomas didn't answer.

Richard stood.

"I trusted you."

Thomas sighed.

"You don't understand."

"Then explain."

Thomas looked toward the window.

"Anna was trying to expose something."

"What?"

Thomas hesitated.

"Something bigger than Vanessa."

Richard frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

Thomas lowered his voice.

"Your company."

Richard froze.

"My company?"

Thomas nodded.

"Years ago, before Sophie was born, Anna discovered financial fraud inside Hale Technologies."

Richard stared.

"Who was involved?"

Thomas didn't answer.

And that scared Richard more than anything.

Because Thomas was afraid.

Not guilty.

Afraid.

"Who?"

Finally, Thomas whispered:

"Someone in your family."

Richard felt the room become colder.

"My family?"

Thomas nodded.

"Someone who has been controlling things from the shadows."

Before Richard could ask another question...

Thomas's phone rang.

He looked at the screen.

His face changed instantly.

Richard noticed.

"Who is it?"

Thomas slowly turned the phone around.

There was no name.

Only one word.

UNKNOWN.

Thomas answered.

"Hello?"

A few seconds passed.

Then his face became pale.

The phone slipped from his hand.

Richard grabbed it.

"Who was that?"

Thomas whispered:

"They know you're investigating."

Richard stared.

"Who?"

Thomas looked terrified.

May you like

For weeks, Nathan believed Vanessa was carrying his child. His marriage...

For weeks, Nathan believed Vanessa was carrying his child. His marriage was falling apart because of one secret. But Ethan noticed...

The crack of a sledgehammer tore through the solemn silence of the prist...

The crack of a sledgehammer tore through the solemn silence of the pristine white sanctuary. One strike. Then another. The white c...

# My Husband Ordered Two Hundred Strikes—Then He Learned Who My Father R...

# My Husband Ordered Two Hundred Strikes—Then He Learned Who My Father Really Was The first strike taught me my husband no longer...

Then he said the words that changed everything.

"The person who caused Anna's death."