THE SECRET SHE WITNESSED

CHAPTER SIX

THE OFFER

Amelia couldn't breathe.

The message on her phone was still open.

WE KNOW WHERE NADIA IS.

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

Adrian noticed immediately.

"Where is she?"

"With Maggie."

"Where?"

Amelia gave him the address.

Adrian was already reaching for his phone.

"I'll have someone check."

"No."

He stopped.

Amelia looked at him carefully.

"I don't want strangers around my daughter."

"Then I'll go with you."

She hesitated.

"Why?"

Adrian held her gaze.

"Because whoever sent that message wants you frightened."

"You sound very certain."

"I am."

"How?"

His expression changed.

For a moment, something vulnerable appeared behind his usually controlled face.

"Because I've received messages like that before."

Amelia studied him.

She had so many questions about Adrian Vale.

But right now, only one mattered.

"Nadia."

Adrian nodded.

"Let's go."

---

They reached the neighborhood fifteen minutes later.

Amelia jumped out before the car had completely stopped.

"Nadia!"

She hurried toward the house.

The door opened.

Maggie's mother appeared.

"Amelia?"

"Where's Nadia?"

The woman looked confused.

"She's inside."

Amelia rushed in.

Nadia and Maggie were sitting at the dining table, drawing.

Both girls looked up.

"Mummy?"

Amelia immediately hugged Nadia.

Nadia laughed in surprise.

"What's wrong?"

Amelia closed her eyes.

"Nothing."

She held her tighter.

Maggie looked toward the doorway.

"Who's that?"

Adrian stood outside.

Nadia stared at him.

"Are you Mr. Vale?"

Adrian smiled slightly.

"Yes."

Nadia's eyes widened.

"The CEO?"

Adrian nodded.

Maggie whispered to Nadia:

"Why is a famous CEO here?"

Nadia shrugged.

"I don't know."

Amelia looked embarrassed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten anyone."

Maggie's mother smiled.

"It's all right."

Adrian glanced at the girls' drawings.

He stopped.

Nadia had drawn a large gallery filled with paintings.

Adrian walked closer.

"You drew this?"

Nadia nodded.

"Yes."

"It's good."

Nadia smiled.

"Thank you."

Maggie pointed to another drawing.

"She made that one too."

Adrian studied it.

The details were remarkably precise for a twelve-year-old.

"You have a gift."

Nadia looked at Amelia.

"My mother says so."

Adrian looked at Amelia.

Their eyes met.

For the first time, he saw something he hadn't expected.

Pride.

Amelia wasn't simply raising Nadia.

She was protecting her daughter's dreams because someone had once failed to protect hers.

Something inside Adrian shifted.

---

Later, Amelia walked Nadia home while Adrian followed a short distance behind.

Nadia talked excitedly about school.

"Mummy, Maggie and I want to enter the city art competition."

Amelia smiled.

"You do?"

"Yes."

"Then we'll see what we can do."

Adrian listened quietly.

When they reached the house, Nadia ran inside.

Amelia turned toward him.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For coming."

Adrian nodded.

"You don't have to thank me."

"I do."

He looked at her.

"You should be careful."

"I know."

"And don't trust every message you receive."

Amelia frowned.

"Are you telling me not to trust you?"

Adrian smiled faintly.

"I'm telling you not to trust anyone."

She studied him.

"Are you hiding something from me?"

His smile disappeared.

"Yes."

Amelia's heart tightened.

"What?"

Adrian looked toward the house.

"I know more about Daniel's death than I told you."

She stared at him.

"Why?"

"Because I wasn't sure whether telling you would put you in greater danger."

"Or because you were protecting yourself?"

He didn't answer.

That silence was answer enough.

Amelia stepped back.

"I don't know what to think of you."

Adrian looked at her.

"Neither do I."

For some reason, his honesty unsettled her more than a lie would have.

---

The following morning, Amelia received an email from Vale Arts Group.

She opened it.

Her heart jumped.

Dear Mrs. Carter,

We are pleased to inform you that your portfolio has been shortlisted for our Artist Development Program.

Amelia stared at the screen.

Her dream.

The dream she had abandoned years ago.

It was suddenly standing in front of her again.

She almost cried.

Then she noticed the final line.

Please report to the company tomorrow morning for an interview with Mr. Adrian Vale.

Amelia's excitement immediately became complicated.

Why would Adrian personally interview her?

She knew there was more to the offer.

But she couldn't ignore the opportunity.

Not after everything she had sacrificed.

---

That afternoon, Amelia sat at the kitchen table and began drawing again.

For the first time in years, she felt alive.

Nadia watched her.

"Mummy."

"Yes?"

"You're smiling."

Amelia looked up.

"I am?"

"Yes."

Nadia smiled.

"I like seeing you happy."

Amelia reached across the table and squeezed her hand.

"Maybe I found something I thought I'd lost."

"What?"

"My dream."

Nadia looked at the drawing.

"Then don't lose it again."

Amelia smiled.

"I won't."

---

At Vale Arts Group, Adrian stood in front of Amelia's portfolio.

He had reviewed every drawing.

Her work wasn't polished.

But it was honest.

There was emotion in every line.

He found himself looking at one particular painting.

A mother and daughter standing beneath a night sky.

He didn't know why it affected him.

Perhaps because it reminded him of something he had lost long ago.

His assistant entered.

"Sir."

Adrian looked up.

"What?"

"About Amelia's application..."

"Yes?"

"Are you certain you want her in the company?"

Adrian's expression hardened.

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Because she's connected to Daniel."

Adrian looked at the portfolio.

"I know."

"And if she discovers what happened—"

"I know."

His assistant lowered his voice.

"You once said she was a threat."

Adrian was silent.

That was true.

But something had changed.

He no longer wanted Amelia gone.

He wanted to understand her.

And, increasingly, he wanted to protect her.

That frightened him more than anything.

---

That evening, Adrian received a message.

You're getting too close to Amelia.

He stared at the screen.

Another message followed.

Remember why she has to disappear.

Adrian's expression became cold.

He deleted the messages.

But he didn't delete the number.

Instead, he saved it.

For the first time, Adrian had decided to fight back against the people who had been controlling his life.

And Amelia had unknowingly become the reason.

---

The next morning, Amelia arrived at Vale Arts Group for her interview.

She entered the elevator.

The doors began closing.

Just before they shut, Adrian's hand stopped them.

He stepped inside.

They were alone.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then Adrian looked at her.

"You came."

"You invited me."

"Are you nervous?"

"A little."

"Don't be."

Amelia smiled faintly.

"Easy for you to say. It's your company."

Adrian smiled.

"And you're the first person who has ever reminded me of that."

The elevator began moving.

Amelia looked at him.

"What does that mean?"

Adrian turned toward her.

"It means I think you're going to surprise me."

The elevator suddenly stopped.

The lights flickered.

Amelia looked around.

"What's happening?"

Adrian's expression changed.

He pressed the emergency button.

Nothing.

Then Amelia's phone vibrated.

She looked down.

One message.

THE INTERVIEW IS A TRAP.

She looked at Adrian.

He had received a message too.

His face became serious.

"What does yours say?" Amelia asked.

Adrian looked at her.

"That someone doesn't want you to reach my office."

The elevator remained silent.

Then a second message appeared on Amelia's phone.

ASK ADRIAN WHO REALLY OWNS VALE ARTS GROUP.

Amelia slowly raised her eyes.

"Adrian..."

He looked at her.

"What?"

She swallowed.

"Who really owns your company?"

Adrian's expression changed.

And for the first time since she had met him, Amelia saw genuine fear in his eyes.