Chapter 7: The Message From the Unknown
I stared at the message until the words blurred.
*I know what you inherited.*
Five simple words.
Yet they felt heavier than any accusation thrown at me that night.
Caden stood near the doorway, watching my face change.
“Emma?””
I didn’t answer.
My fingers hovered over the screen.
The number was hidden.
No name.
No profile.
Nothing.
Just a message from someone who knew exactly how to get my attention.
“Who is it?”” Caden asked.
I looked up.
“Why would I tell you?””
His expression tightened.
“Because I might be able to help.””
I almost laughed.
“Help?””
The word tasted bitter.
“You helped enough.””
He lowered his eyes.
“I deserve that.””
For once, he didn’t argue.
That bothered me more than if he had.
I walked back into the living room and sat beside my mother.
She looked worried.
“Emma, what happened?””
I showed her the message.
Her face immediately changed.
Not confusion.
Recognition.
“Mom?””
She looked away.
“Alexis.””
She sighed.
“There’s something I never told you.””
My entire body went still.
Another secret.
Another thing hidden from me.
“What?””
She held my hand.
“When your grandfather created the trust, he wasn’t only worried about money.””
I frowned.
“What do you mean?””
“He knew wealth attracts people who don’t care about you.””
I looked at the message again.
My mother continued.
“He created protections because he believed someone would eventually try to use your family.””
I shook my head.
“But how would anyone know?””
She hesitated.
That hesitation scared me.
“Mom.””
She looked toward the window.
“There was someone your grandfather trusted.””
“Who?””
“His business partner.””
I waited.
“Richard Vale.””
The name meant nothing to me.
“Where is he now?””
My mother’s expression became serious.
“Dead.””
The room fell silent.
“Then why does this matter?””
“Because his son blamed your grandfather for everything.””
I leaned back.
“Blamed him?””
She nodded.
“Richard’s company failed years ago. Your grandfather refused to risk the family assets to save it.””
“And now?””
“My grandfather’s decision destroyed his family.””
I stared at the phone.
“Are you saying someone from his family is behind this?””
“I don’t know.””
But her voice told me she had an idea.
Before I could ask more, my phone rang.
This time, it was my attorney.
“Emma, we found something.””
I stood.
“What?””
“We checked the access records.””
“And?””
“There was a login to your private files.””
“When?””
“Six months ago.””
My grip tightened.
“Who accessed them?””
A pause.
Then:
“Someone with executive clearance.””
My heart sank.
“Give me the name.””
“Emma…”
“Give me the name.””
The attorney took a breath.
“Landon Pierce.””
I froze.
Because I knew that name.
Everyone in my company knew that name.
Landon was my father’s closest business advisor.
He had worked with my family for twenty years.
He had attended my grandfather’s funeral.
He had helped me take over the company.
He had been the person I trusted most.
“No,” I whispered.
Caden looked at me.
“Who is it?””
I ignored him.
“Are you certain?””
“Yes. The records don’t lie.””
I ended the call.
My mother watched me carefully.
“What happened?””
I looked at her.
“The person who helped them…”
My voice cracked.
“Was someone I trusted.””
Later that night, I couldn’t sleep.
I walked through the mansion, remembering every person who had ever entered my life.
Every handshake.
Every promise.
Every smile.
Then I stopped in front of an old family portrait.
My grandfather stood in the center.
Beside him was a younger Landon.
They looked like brothers.
My phone buzzed again.
Another unknown message.
This time, it included a photo.
I opened it.
And my blood ran cold.
It was a picture of Donovan.
Taken that same day.
Outside his preschool.
May you like
Underneath it were six words.
*Your son is the next target.*
