Chapter 9 — The Hidden Ledger
457 Words
The next morning, Amelia and Damian drove to the old Carter family home.
The house had been empty for years.
Amelia stood at the entrance, remembering her childhood.
“My mother loved this place.”
Damian looked at her.
“Then she may have hidden the ledger somewhere she knew you would eventually find.”
They searched the study first.
Nothing.
Then the bedroom.
Nothing.
Amelia remembered something.
“My mother used to hide things inside books.”
They checked the shelves.
After nearly an hour, Amelia found an old book with a loose cover.
Inside was a small key.
“Damian.”
He took it.
“What does this open?”
“I don't know.”
They searched the room again.
Finally, Damian noticed a small keyhole beneath the desk.
He inserted the key.
A hidden drawer opened.
Inside was a black leather book.
The ledger.
Amelia stared at it.
“We found it.”
Damian opened the first page.
Names.
Dates.
Payments.
Secret accounts.
Everything was there.
Then Amelia saw something familiar.
Her father's signature.
Damian's father had signed the same page.
But below their names was another signature.
Victor Cross.
Damian's face became serious.
“There's something else.”
He turned the page.
Amelia leaned closer.
A final entry had been written.
The money was never stolen by Carter or Cross.
“Then who stole it?” Amelia asked.
Damian continued reading.
His expression changed.
“No.”
“What?”
He handed her the page.
At the bottom was the name of a man who had been trusted by both families.
Richard Harrison.
Amelia's eyes widened.
“Mr. Harrison?”
“The same man who is now one of my largest investors.”
A noise came from downstairs.
They both froze.
Someone was inside the house.
Damian closed the ledger.
“Stay behind me.”
Footsteps came closer.
The door suddenly opened.
A man stood there.
Not Victor.
Not a stranger.
Mr. Harrison.
He smiled.
“You found it.”
Damian's eyes became cold.
“You.”
Harrison laughed.
“I've been waiting twenty years for this moment.”
Amelia stepped backward.
“You destroyed our families.”
Harrison shook his head.
“No. Your families destroyed themselves.”
Damian stepped forward.
“What do you want?”
“The ledger.”
“Why?”
“Because it proves what I did.”
Silence filled the room.
Amelia whispered,
“You're admitting it?”
Harrison smiled.
“I have nothing left to lose.”
Then he pulled out his phone.
A message appeared on Damian's screen.
Your wife is already in danger.
Damian immediately turned toward Amelia.
The bedroom window was open.
Someone had been watching them.
And they were no longer alone.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD