The Billionaire's Rejected Bride

The Billionaire's Return

CHAPTER THREE

Elena stared at the office door.

Her uncle's voice came again.

"Elena, open the door."

She looked at the second envelope on her desk.

Then at her phone.

Alexander's warning echoed in her mind.

Whatever you do, don't open the second envelope.

Why?

What was inside?

And why did Alexander know about it?

"Elena?"

She quickly slipped the envelope into the drawer.

Then she composed herself.

"Come in."

The door opened.

Richard Carter walked inside.

He was in his early sixties, always impeccably dressed, always calm.

For three years, he had been Elena's strongest support.

When she had returned from the disastrous wedding, he had welcomed her into his home.

When she decided to rebuild her father's company, he had encouraged her.

When she cried, he had told her she was strong.

He had been more than an uncle.

He had been family.

Now, for the first time, Elena looked at him differently.

"Uncle Richard."

He smiled.

"My dear."

He walked toward her.

"I heard there was a visitor."

Elena's expression remained neutral.

"Daniel Harrison."

Richard stopped.

Only for a fraction of a second.

But Elena noticed.

"You know him?"

"Of course."

He smiled again.

"He was your father's friend."

"He came to see me."

"What did he want?"

Elena watched him carefully.

"He brought me something."

Richard's eyes moved toward the desk.

"What?"

"A photograph."

"Of your father?"

"Yes."

Richard nodded slowly.

"What else?"

Elena leaned against the desk.

"Why are you asking?"

"Because I don't want anyone upsetting you."

"You seem concerned."

"I am."

Richard walked closer.

"Elena, your father left behind many unfinished matters. Some things are better left buried."

Her heart skipped.

"Why?"

"Because digging into the past won't bring him back."

"Maybe not."

She looked directly into his eyes.

"But it might tell me how he died."

Richard's expression changed.

"Your father's death was an accident."

"That's what everyone says."

"Because it's true."

Elena remained silent.

Richard studied her.

Then he smiled.

"Alexander has contacted you, hasn't he?"

Her stomach tightened.

"Why would you think that?"

"Because Black Enterprises suddenly wants to acquire your company."

Elena said nothing.

Richard sighed.

"Stay away from Alexander."

"Why?"

"He isn't good for you."

A strange anger rose inside her.

"You've never said that before."

"I should have."

"Why now?"

Richard looked toward the window.

"Because some people don't change."

Elena almost laughed.

"Funny."

"What?"

"That's exactly what I thought about myself three years ago."

Richard frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"I thought I would never change."

She looked at him.

"But I did."

Richard's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Elena..."

She interrupted him.

"Did my father have business dealings with Victor Black?"

Silence.

Richard's face became unreadable.

"Where did you hear that?"

"So it's true."

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to."

Richard sighed.

"Your father and Victor were business associates."

"What kind of business?"

"Ordinary investments."

"Then why didn't anyone tell me?"

"Because you were young."

"I was twenty-two when my father died."

"You were grieving."

Elena folded her arms.

"What were they hiding?"

"Nothing."

She watched him closely.

Then she asked:

"Did my father ever mention a family trust?"

Richard's face changed.

This time, Elena knew she had hit something.

"What trust?"

"You don't know?"

"No."

She nodded slowly.

"Interesting."

Richard looked at her.

"Where did you hear that word?"

Elena smiled faintly.

"I read it somewhere."

It was a lie.

But she needed to know how much he knew.

Richard walked toward the door.

"Forget about all this."

"Why?"

"Because you're finally happy."

Elena almost laughed.

"Am I?"

"You have a successful company."

"Yes."

"Your life is stable."

"Yes."

"You don't need Alexander Black coming back into it."

Richard opened the door.

Before leaving, he looked back.

"Promise me you'll stay away from him."

Elena stared at him.

"I'll think about it."

Richard nodded.

"Good."

The door closed.

Elena waited until his footsteps disappeared.

Then she locked the door.

She opened the drawer.

The second envelope was still there.

Her hands trembled as she picked it up.

She remembered Alexander's warning.

But curiosity won.

She tore it open.

A single document fell onto the desk.

Elena picked it up.

Her eyes widened.

It was an old legal agreement.

At the top were two names.

JOHN CARTER

and

VICTOR BLACK

Her father's signature was at the bottom.

So was Victor's.

But there was another signature.

Elena stared at it.

Her face went pale.

RICHARD CARTER.

Why had her uncle signed a secret agreement with her father and Alexander's father?

She continued reading.

The document referred to something called the Carter-Black Family Trust.

Then she reached a clause that made her blood run cold.

In the event of the death of either John Carter or Victor Black, control of the trust shall remain with the surviving appointed guardian until the heirs reach the age of thirty.

Elena read it twice.

The appointed guardian was Richard.

Her hands began to shake.

There was another page.

She turned it.

A handwritten note appeared.

If Richard has shown Elena this document, it's already too late.

Elena stopped breathing.

The note was written by her father.

Then she read the final sentence.

Alexander is the only person you can trust.

Her phone suddenly vibrated.

A message from Alexander.

I told you not to open it.

Elena stared at the screen.

How could he possibly know?

Before she could respond, another message arrived.

Get out of your office. Now.

Elena's heart pounded.

She stood.

Then she heard a soft sound behind her.

A click.

She slowly turned.

The window was closed.

The door was locked.

Nobody was inside.

Then she noticed the small red light blinking on the smoke detector above her.

A camera.

Someone was watching her.

At that exact moment, her office lights went out.

Elena froze.

A man's voice whispered from somewhere in the darkness.

"You should have listened to Alexander."

To be continued.