Chapter - 12 > The Man My Grandfather Hunted
2022 Words
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
The bakery suddenly felt too quiet.
Maya stared at Adrian.
Her fingers tightened around the old photograph.
“My father?” she whispered.
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
His eyes remained fixed on the photograph in her hands.
The man standing beside Maya's mother looked ordinary.
Brown hair.
A faint smile.
One hand resting protectively around Maya's mother's shoulder.
But Adrian knew that face.
He had seen it before.
Not in person.
In photographs hidden inside his grandfather's private study.
In confidential reports.
In newspaper clippings that had been sealed away decades ago.
In files Adrian had been told never to open.
His grandfather had spent twenty years searching for that man.
And now—
That man's daughter was standing in front of him.
Maya.
“Adrian?”
Her voice pulled him back.
He looked at her.
“What do you mean my father is someone your grandfather spent twenty years trying to find?”
Adrian exhaled slowly.
“This isn't something I can explain in one sentence.”
“Try me.”
“Maya—”
“No.”
She stepped closer.
“You've been telling me the truth lately, remember?”
Adrian's jaw tightened.
“I am.”
“Then tell me everything.”
Before Adrian could answer, Bennett suddenly barked.
Both of them looked down.
The golden retriever puppy was sitting between them with Adrian's expensive shoe hanging from his mouth.
Adrian stared at him.
“Seriously?”
Bennett wagged his tail.
Maya blinked.
Despite everything, a tiny laugh escaped her.
Adrian looked offended.
“Your dog has absolutely no respect for me.”
“He's a very good judge of character.”
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
“Apparently not. He stole a shoe worth three thousand dollars.”
“Then maybe he has expensive taste.”
For a moment, the tension disappeared.
Adrian smiled.
Barely.
But Maya noticed.
Then the photograph caught her attention again.
Her smile vanished.
“Who is he?”
Adrian looked at the photograph.
“I don't know his real identity.”
Maya frowned.
“What?”
“My grandfather referred to him as Daniel Reed.”
“Daniel Reed?”
“Yes.”
“My father's name was Daniel Bennett.”
Adrian's expression changed.
Maya's eyes widened.
“Then maybe—”
“No.”
Adrian interrupted softly.
“We can't assume anything yet.”
“Why?”
“Because my grandfather didn't just want to find him.”
Adrian paused.
“He wanted to destroy him.”
Maya froze.
“What?”
Adrian walked toward the counter and placed both hands against it.
“My grandfather believed Daniel Reed stole something from Knight Holdings.”
“What did he steal?”
“I don't know.”
“You don't know?”
“My grandfather never told me the full story.”
“Then how do you know he was dangerous?”
“Because I grew up watching what happened to my grandfather whenever his name was mentioned.”
Maya stared at him.
“What happened?”
“He became someone else.”
Adrian's voice lowered.
“My grandfather was normally calm. Controlled. Almost impossible to anger.”
He looked toward the old photograph.
“But whenever Daniel Reed's name came up, he became obsessed.”
“Obsessed?”
“He hired investigators.”
“Twenty years?”
“Twenty years.”
Maya slowly sat down.
Her mind was spinning.
“My mother never told me any of this.”
“She probably didn't know.”
“She knew my father.”
“Yes.”
“She loved him.”
Adrian nodded.
“And yet…”
Maya looked at the photograph again.
“He disappeared.”
Adrian didn't answer.
Because suddenly something else occurred to him.
Something that made his stomach tighten.
“Maya.”
She looked up.
“What?”
“When did your father disappear?”
“When I was three.”
Adrian's expression hardened.
“Three?”
“Yes.”
“What happened afterward?”
“My mother told everyone he died.”
“Did you ever see his grave?”
Maya hesitated.
“No.”
“Did your mother ever show you a death certificate?”
“No.”
Adrian exchanged a glance with Ethan.
Ethan had been standing near the entrance, unusually silent.
Adrian nodded toward him.
“Call Whitmore.”
Ethan immediately pulled out his phone.
Maya noticed.
“What are you doing?”
“Finding answers.”
“I want to know too.”
Adrian looked at her.
“You're coming with me.”
“Where?”
“To my grandfather's old study.”
Maya's eyes widened.
“You have files about my father?”
“I don't know.”
“Then let's find out.”
Twenty minutes later, Maya stood inside Knight Manor.
She had never been there before.
The mansion was enormous.
Beautiful.
Cold.
Everything about it screamed wealth.
Marble floors.
Massive chandeliers.
Paintings worth more than her bakery.
Yet Maya barely noticed any of it.
She was thinking about one thing.
Her father.
Adrian walked beside her.
“You okay?”
“No.”
He nodded.
“Fair.”
Maya looked at him.
“Are you?”
“No.”
That answer surprised her.
Adrian Knight didn't usually admit weakness.
They entered the library.
The room was enormous.
Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves covered every wall.
A grand fireplace stood at the far end.
And behind a large wooden desk was a locked cabinet.
Adrian walked toward it.
“My grandfather's private files were kept here.”
“You have the key?”
Adrian pulled a small key from his pocket.
Maya stared.
“You've had that this entire time?”
“Yes.”
“And you never opened it?”
“My grandfather specifically told me not to.”
Maya folded her arms.
“Of course he did.”
Adrian glanced at her.
“You're enjoying this.”
“No. I'm terrified.”
His expression softened.
“I'm sorry.”
Maya looked away.
Adrian unlocked the cabinet.
Inside were dozens of black folders.
Most were labeled with dates.
Some with names.
Adrian began searching.
Then he stopped.
One folder caught his attention.
DANIEL REED — CONFIDENTIAL
Maya's breath caught.
“That one.”
Adrian took it.
They sat together at the desk.
He opened the folder.
The first page contained a photograph.
The same man.
But underneath the picture was a different name.
Daniel Bennett.
Maya covered her mouth.
“Oh my God.”
Adrian read the report.
His eyes moved quickly across the page.
“Born in New York…”
He turned the page.
“Worked as a financial analyst for Knight Holdings…”
Another page.
“Resigned abruptly twenty-three years ago.”
Maya leaned closer.
“Why?”
Adrian continued reading.
Then his eyes stopped.
“What?”
Maya noticed his expression.
“What does it say?”
Adrian swallowed.
“Your father discovered something.”
“What?”
“I don't know yet.”
He turned another page.
A handwritten note appeared.
Maya recognized the handwriting immediately.
“That was my mother's.”
Adrian looked at her.
“You're sure?”
“I've seen her handwriting my entire life.”
Maya read the note.
Her face slowly drained of color.
Daniel didn't betray Knight Holdings.
He discovered who did.
If anything happens to us, protect Maya.
Never trust Victor.
Silence.
Adrian's blood ran cold.
Maya stared at the final sentence.
“Victor?”
Adrian slowly looked at Ethan.
Ethan had gone pale.
“That's impossible.”
Maya stood.
“Why would my mother write Victor's name?”
Adrian didn't answer.
Because suddenly everything was connecting.
Victor's obsession with Maya.
The anonymous letters.
The paparazzi.
The way Victor had known about her before anyone else.
The mysterious warnings.
And now—
Her mother's note.
Adrian's voice was dangerously calm.
“Ethan.”
“Yes?”
“Find Victor.”
“I'll try.”
“No.”
Adrian looked up.
“Don't try.”
His expression became ice-cold.
“Find him.”
Ethan nodded and immediately left.
Maya remained frozen.
“Adrian…”
He turned toward her.
“Does Victor know who my father is?”
“I don't know.”
“But he knows something.”
“Yes.”
“Then why is he coming after me?”
Adrian stepped closer.
“Because you're connected to something your father discovered.”
Maya shook her head.
“I don't understand.”
“I don't either.”
She looked at him.
“Then why do I feel like everyone knows something except me?”
Adrian's face softened.
“Because someone made sure you stayed in the dark.”
Maya's eyes filled with tears.
“I just wanted my bakery.”
Adrian's heart clenched.
“I know.”
“I didn't ask for any of this.”
“I know.”
“My mother died keeping secrets.”
“I know.”
“My father disappeared.”
“I know.”
“And now your family is involved.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“Maya.”
She looked at him.
“I don't know what happened twenty years ago.”
His voice was gentle.
“But I promise you one thing.”
“What?”
“I'll find out.”
“You promise?”
“Yes.”
“And if my father is alive?”
Adrian didn't hesitate.
“Then I'll find him too.”
Maya stared into his eyes.
For the first time since she had met Adrian, she didn't see the arrogant billionaire.
She saw a man who genuinely wanted to protect her.
Her voice became barely audible.
“Why?”
Adrian's heart skipped.
“Why what?”
“Why are you doing all this for me?”
He stared at her.
Because I love you.
The words almost escaped.
Almost.
Instead, he said,
“Because you're my wife.”
Maya's expression softened.
Even though their marriage wasn't real.
Not yet.
But somehow—
The words didn't feel fake anymore.
She looked down.
“Adrian…”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
He reached for her hand.
Their fingers touched.
Neither moved away.
For several seconds, they simply stood there.
Then—
CRASH!
They both jumped.
A loud noise came from the hallway.
Adrian immediately moved in front of Maya.
“Stay here.”
“What happened?”
“I don't know.”
He walked toward the door.
Maya followed anyway.
“Of course you're coming.”
“I don't like being told what to do.”
“I've noticed.”
They reached the hallway.
A vase had been shattered on the floor.
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
Ethan came running toward them.
“Adrian!”
“What?”
“Someone broke into the manor.”
Adrian's expression darkened.
“Where?”
“The west wing.”
“Did you see them?”
“No.”
Adrian immediately looked at Maya.
“Stay behind me.”
But then something caught Maya's eye.
A small black envelope lying among the broken pieces of porcelain.
Her name was written across it.
MAYA BENNETT
Her heart stopped.
She bent down.
Adrian caught her wrist.
“Don't.”
She looked at him.
“What if it's from my father?”
Adrian hesitated.
Then slowly released her.
Maya picked up the envelope.
Her fingers trembled as she opened it.
Inside was a single photograph.
A photograph of a man standing outside a small house.
Maya stared.
She knew that face.
Her breathing stopped.
It was her father.
Older.
Different.
But unmistakably him.
On the back of the photograph were six words.
He has been watching you, Maya.
And beneath them—
Ask Adrian what his grandfather did to him.
Maya slowly raised her eyes.
Adrian was staring at the photograph.
His face had gone completely pale.
Because beneath the message was one final line.
Your father didn't disappear.
He was forced to run.
And suddenly—
Adrian understood.
Someone hadn't sent the photograph to scare Maya.
They had sent it to start a war.
A war that had begun twenty years ago.
And had never truly ended.
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