Chapter 8: The Betrayal No One Saw Coming
The name on the screen made my father take a step back.
I watched his expression carefully.
Because Alexander Vale had faced angry investors, business rivals, and public scandals.
But this was different.
This was fear.
“Who is it?”” I asked.
Thomas closed the laptop.
“Not here.””
My patience snapped.
“No.””
Everyone looked at me.
“I’m done being protected from the truth.””
My voice echoed through the office.
“I spent years living a fake life because everyone thought they knew what was best for me. I’m not doing that anymore.””
Alexander looked at me.
For a moment, he saw the little girl he once protected.
Then he saw the woman standing in front of him.
And he nodded.
Thomas opened the laptop again.
The name appeared.
*Richard Hale.*
I stared.
“No.””
Richard had been my father’s closest advisor.
The man who attended every family event.
The man who taught me how to read financial reports when I was sixteen.
The man who brought me gifts after my father died.
“He couldn’t have done this.””
Thomas looked at me sadly.
“Sometimes the people closest to us know exactly where to strike.””
Daniel looked confused.
“Who is Richard Hale?””
I looked at him.
“My father’s right-hand man.””
Alexander’s jaw tightened.
“He knew everything.””
Everything.
The words felt heavy.
He knew my identity.
He knew the company.
He knew the family.
And he knew exactly how to destroy us.
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
Everyone stared.
I answered.
“Hello?””
A calm voice responded.
“Eleanor.””
My entire body froze.
I knew that voice.
Not personally.
But from memories.
Old recordings.
Old videos.
My father’s voice.
Except it wasn’t my father.
It was someone imitating him.
“You’ve spent your whole life thinking you inherited a company,” the voice said.
“What do you want?””
A quiet laugh.
“I want what was taken from me.””
My father stepped closer.
“Who are you?””
The voice ignored him.
“Your father lied to you.””
I gripped the phone.
“Everyone says that.””
“He told you Victoria was the only other child.””
My heart tightened.
“Who are you?””
The voice became colder.
“I’m the person Alexander Vale erased.””
The call ended.
I looked at my father.
“Is it true?””
He didn’t answer immediately.
That was enough.
“Dad.””
He sat down.
For the first time, he looked old.
“There was another child.””
Victoria whispered:
“Who?””
Alexander looked at her.
Then at me.
“My son.””
The room went silent.
Daniel rubbed his face.
“This family is unbelievable.””
Nobody acknowledged him.
Because the truth was bigger than his betrayal.
“Where is he?”” I asked.
Alexander looked toward the window.
“I don’t know.””
That answer terrified me.
Because if my father didn’t know…
Someone else did.
That afternoon, we discovered Richard Hale had disappeared.
His office was empty.
His apartment was empty.
His bank accounts had been drained.
But he left one thing behind.
A message.
Written on the wall of his office.
Three words.
*Ask your mother.*
I stared at the writing.
My mother had been dead for fifteen years.
“What does this mean?”” Victoria asked.
Nobody answered.
Then Alexander whispered:
“Your mother knew.””
I turned slowly.
“What?””
He closed his eyes.
“She knew about my son.””
The room went cold.
“You told me my mother died peacefully.””
“She did.””
“Then why does she know about a secret child?””
Alexander looked at me.
“Because she was the one who found out.””
I felt my heartbeat in my ears.
“What happened after she found out?””
My father didn’t respond.
And that scared me more than anything.
Finally, he said:
“She tried to expose the truth.””
I stepped closer.
“And?””
His voice broke.
“She disappeared before she could.””
The words hit me like a wave.
“My mother didn’t die.””
Alexander looked away.
“No.””
My hands began shaking.
“Then what happened?””
Before he could answer, the mansion alarm sounded again.
A guard rushed in.
“Ms. Vale.””
His face was pale.
“There is a woman at the gate.””
My heart stopped.
“Who?””
The guard looked at my father.
“She says she has information about your mother.””
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Then he added:
“She says she knows where your mother has been for the last fifteen years.””
