Chapter 2: The Billionaire’s Secret
656 Words
“What exactly are you saying about my mother?”
Alexander looked at Elena.
“I’m saying she wasn’t the woman you believed her to be.”
Elena’s anger rose immediately.
“My mother raised me alone. She worked two jobs for me. She was there whenever I needed her. Don’t stand there and tell me you knew her better than I did.”
“I never said that.”
“Then explain.”
Alexander walked toward the window.
“My father had a relationship with your mother.”
Elena stared at him.
“That’s impossible.”
“It happened.”
“My mother would never—”
“She was twenty-two. My father was married.”
Elena looked away.
“What happened to them?”
“My father ended it.”
“And my mother?”
“She left.”
“She moved to another city.”
“Exactly. She was running.”
“From what?”
“My family.”
“Why?”
“Because she had something my father wanted.”
“What?”
“I don’t know.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I expect you to understand that my father destroyed anything that threatened his reputation.”
“Then why bring me here?”
“Because your mother’s disappearance wasn’t the end.”
Alexander opened a drawer and removed a small black box.
“This belonged to her.”
Elena reached for it.
Alexander pulled it back.
“Before you open it, understand that there is no going back.”
“You’ve already lied to me. Why should I trust you?”
“You shouldn’t.”
That answer surprised her.
He handed her the box.
Inside was a silver necklace, an old key, and a folded note.
Elena unfolded it.
“If anything happens to me, find Lucien Marlowe.”
She looked up.
“Who is Lucien?”
Alexander went silent.
“You know him.”
“He was my father’s closest friend.”
“And?”
“He died twenty-one years ago.”
Elena looked at the key.
Then she noticed the letter L engraved on the necklace.
“What does this mean?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re lying again.”
“I’m not.”
A crash suddenly came from downstairs.
Both of them turned.
“What was that?”
“I don’t know.”
Alexander moved toward the door.
“Stay here.”
“No.”
“Elena.”
“I’m not staying behind while you keep secrets.”
He reached for his phone.
“Security?”
“Already called.”
A shadow passed beneath the office door.
Elena stopped breathing.
Someone outside whispered,
“Find the girl.”
She looked at Alexander.
“Who are they?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then what do we do?”
Alexander opened the door slightly.
“Run.”
The lights went out.
Elena grabbed the black box.
“Alexander!”
“Stay close.”
They moved through the darkness toward the private elevator.
As the doors closed, Elena looked at him.
“You still haven’t answered my question.”
“Which one?”
“Why me?”
Alexander met her eyes.
“Because your mother knew something my family has been hiding for twenty-one years.”
The elevator descended.
“And what if I don’t want to know?”
“Then someone else will decide what happens to you.”
The elevator doors opened.
They hurried toward his waiting car.
Elena followed, clutching the box.
But one question stayed in her mind.
If her mother had trusted Alexander enough to leave him the box, why had she warned Elena to find Lucien instead?
Outside, a black car started its engine.
Alexander noticed it.
“Get in.”
Elena looked at the car.
“Is that the same car that has been following me?”
Alexander didn’t answer.
That silence was answer enough.
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