Chapter 4: The Hidden Account
Daniel didn't let Victor enter.
"Stay there.""
Victor stopped.
"I heard what happened.""
"You heard?""
"Yes.""
"How?""
Victor glanced at the security cameras.
Daniel noticed.
That small movement.
A tiny reaction.
But it was enough.
"You've been watching this house.""
Victor's expression hardened.
"I helped install that system.""
"That wasn't my question.""
Victor stepped back.
"Daniel, you are letting fear control your judgment.""
"My daughter just identified your watch.""
Victor looked at Sophie.
Then back at Daniel.
"She is six years old.""
Daniel's voice became colder.
"Don't use her age to dismiss what she saw.""
Victor lowered his eyes.
For a moment, he looked hurt.
Then angry.
"You think I would hurt Evelyn?""
"I think I don't know what to think anymore.""
Victor nodded slowly.
"Fair enough.""
He reached into his coat.
Daniel immediately stepped forward.
"Don't.""
Victor stopped.
Then slowly removed a small envelope.
"I found this in your mother's office.""
Daniel didn't take it.
"Why didn't you give it to investigators?""
Victor hesitated.
"Because I didn't want it misunderstood.""
"Everything looks misunderstood right now.""
Victor placed the envelope on the table.
"Your mother wrote my name on it.""
Daniel stared.
"Why?""
"Because she trusted me.""
Mara laughed bitterly.
"Or because she suspected you.""
Victor looked at her.
"You're enjoying this.""
"No.""
Mara's voice cracked.
"I'm terrified.""
That answer surprised everyone.
Daniel picked up the envelope.
Inside was a single handwritten note.
Victor,
If Daniel finds the ledger, tell him the truth before someone else does.
Daniel looked up.
"That's it?""
Victor nodded.
"There was nothing else.""
"That doesn't make sense.""
Daniel turned the paper over.
Nothing.
Then Sophie walked closer.
"Grandma used to hide things.""
Daniel looked at her.
"What things?""
"Messages.""
"Where?""
She pointed toward the envelope.
"Not there.""
She looked around the library.
"Here.""
Daniel followed her eyes.
The old room.
The bookshelves.
The antique desk.
The painting above the fireplace.
Sophie walked to the desk.
She touched a small wooden carving.
"Grandma always said this lady was watching.""
Daniel examined the carving.
A wooden figure holding a tiny book.
He pressed it.
A hidden drawer opened.
Everyone froze.
Inside was a flash drive.
And another note.
Daniel picked it up.
This time, his mother's handwriting looked rushed.
If you found this, then the person I feared already knows about the ledger.
Daniel's stomach tightened.
He looked at Victor.
Then Mara.
Then the tiny drive in his hand.
The answer was somewhere inside.
He connected it to a secure computer.
A single audio file appeared.
No title.
No date.
Daniel pressed play.
At first, there was only static.
Then his mother's voice filled the room.
"If you are hearing this, I am gone.""
Sophie covered her mouth.
Daniel closed his eyes.
Evelyn continued.
"I discovered who was taking money from the trust.""
Everyone leaned closer.
The recording continued.
"But the person responsible is not working alone.""
Daniel looked at Victor.
Victor looked back.
Then Evelyn said the words that changed everything.
"The first person you will suspect is Victor Lang.""
Victor's face went pale.
Daniel stopped breathing.
But Evelyn's voice continued.
"That is exactly what they want you to believe.""
Daniel slowly turned toward the speaker.
A cold feeling moved through him.
His mother had known.
She had planned for this.
"Victor helped me uncover the truth. But someone inside this family has been feeding information to the person stealing from us.""
Mara stepped back.
"Inside the family?""
Daniel stared at her.
The recording continued.
"And Daniel...""
His mother's voice became quieter.
"Do not trust anyone who tells you they were protecting me.""
The audio stopped.
Silence filled the library.
Then the computer screen flickered.
A new file appeared.
Created moments ago.
Daniel stared at it.
Because the file name was impossible.
May you like
It was named:
SOPHIE'S SECRET.
