Chapter 1: The Men at the Gate
The headlights outside multiplied until the front windows glowed white.
Adrian turned toward the entrance, his expression shifting from annoyance to uncertainty.
"What is this?" he demanded.
Before anyone answered, the mansion's front doors swung open.
Not by force.
By the estate's own security team.
The guards Adrian believed worked exclusively for him stepped aside without saying a word.
A tall man in a dark suit entered first.
Behind him came several attorneys, forensic accountants, and investigators carrying sealed evidence cases.
Last through the doorway walked my father.
Richard Ashford.
His silver hair hadn't changed much over the years, but the quiet kindness in his eyes had hardened into something far colder.
Adrian frowned.
"Who are you?"
My father looked at him as if he were examining a stranger whose fate had already been decided.
"I'm Evelyn's father."
Vanessa laughed.
"The retired accountant?"
My father ignored her.
Instead, he walked directly toward me.
He removed his suit jacket and gently wrapped it around my shoulders.
"I came as fast as I could."
For the first time all evening, I allowed myself to cry.
Not from pain.
From relief.
One of the investigators quietly placed a small device on the marble table.
"The recording has been uploaded."
Adrian's confidence finally cracked.
"What recording?"
My father answered calmly.
May you like
"The one your wife has been collecting for the last two months."
Silence swallowed the room.
