Faking His Death: The Truth

Chapter 3: A Strange Connection

For the next few days, Adrian couldn't stop thinking about the Bennett documents.

Every time he looked at the development plans, he saw the same thing-the old property agreement, the unfamiliar signature, and his father's warning.

Forget the Bennett name.

It only made Adrian more curious.

On Friday afternoon, he found Maya in the firm's small architectural library.

She was standing beside a shelf, examining an old collection of architectural records.

"You know," Adrian said, "most people come here to read."

Maya turned around.

"Most people aren't looking for evidence."

Adrian smiled.

"Find anything?"

"Not yet."

He walked over and looked at the shelf.

"Try the archives from twenty years ago."

"Already did."

"Ten years earlier."

Maya looked at him.

"You really want to help me, don't you?"

Adrian shrugged.

"I want to know what happened too."

For a moment, they simply looked at each other.

Then Maya smiled.

"You're not as difficult as I thought."

"Give it time."

She laughed.

They spent the next hour searching through old records.

Eventually, Adrian pulled out a dusty folder.

"What's this?"

Maya came closer.

The label read:

BENNETT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT - CONFIDENTIAL

Maya's expression changed.

"Open it."

Inside were several architectural drawings and meeting notes.

Then Adrian found something that made him stop.

A handwritten note was attached to one of the drawings.

The transfer must be completed before Bennett discovers the alteration.

Maya stared at the words.

"Alteration?"

Adrian carefully removed the note.

"We need to find out who wrote this."

Before they could continue, the library door opened.

Victor Cole stood there.

His eyes immediately fell on the folder in Adrian's hands.

For the first time, Adrian saw fear in his father's expression.

Victor walked toward them.

"Where did you find that?"

Adrian didn't answer immediately.

"Why are you so concerned?"

Victor's voice became colder.

"Because some records were never meant to be opened."

Maya stepped forward.

"My family lost everything because of those records."

Victor looked directly at her.

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Then tell me."

Victor said nothing.

He simply took the folder from Adrian's hands.

"This ends here."

He walked away.

Adrian watched him disappear through the doorway.

Maya folded her arms.

"Now you understand why I don't trust your family."

Adrian looked at her.

"I don't think I trust them either."

Neither noticed the security camera above the doorway.

Someone was watching the entire conversation.

And that evening, Adrian received an anonymous message.

Stop looking into the Bennett property.

He stared at the screen.

A second message appeared.

Your father can't protect you forever.

Adrian's expression hardened.

Whatever had happened years ago wasn't just a family secret.

Someone was still willing to protect it.

To Be Continued...