THE CONFRONTATION
1096 Words
CHAPTER 7
The Confrontation
The name on the paper refused to leave Chloe's mind.
MARCUS VILLANO.
Andrian's father.
The man who had supposedly been connected to her father's disappearance.
Neither Chloe nor Andrian spoke during the drive to the Villano family residence.
The rain had stopped, but dark clouds still covered the sky.
Finally, Chloe broke the silence.
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
Andrian kept his eyes on the road.
“No.”
She looked at him.
“But I'm doing it anyway.”
When they arrived, the gates opened almost immediately.
Andrian parked the car.
Before they entered the house, he turned toward Chloe.
“Whatever happens inside, let me handle my father.”
Chloe nodded.
“But if he lies?”
“Then we find out why.”
They entered.
---
Marcus Villano was sitting in the library.
He looked up when Andrian walked in.
His expression immediately changed when he saw Chloe.
“You brought her here?”
Andrian closed the door.
“Yes.”
Marcus stood.
“I told you to stay away from this case.”
“And I told you I need answers.”
“You don't understand what you're dealing with.”
“Then explain it.”
Marcus looked at Chloe.
“Your father should have left everything alone.”
Chloe stepped forward.
“What happened to him?”
Marcus was silent.
“Tell me.”
“He made a choice.”
“What choice?”
“To trust the wrong people.”
Chloe's voice trembled.
“Was my father alive when he left?”
Marcus looked away.
Andrian noticed.
“Dad.”
Marcus didn't respond.
“Was he?”
“Yes.”
Chloe's eyes widened.
“You knew he was alive?”
“I knew he left the country.”
“Where did he go?”
“I don't know.”
“You're lying.”
Marcus looked at her.
“I am not.”
Andrian stepped closer.
“Then tell us about Exhibit 17.”
Marcus's face changed.
“You found it?”
“No.”
“Then how do you know?”
Andrian pulled out the photograph.
“This.”
Marcus stared at it.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he whispered:
“Where did you get that?”
“It was left for us.”
Marcus took the photograph.
His hands trembled slightly.
Chloe noticed.
“You know the man beside my father.”
Marcus looked at her.
“Yes.”
“Who is he?”
Marcus placed the photograph on the desk.
“His name is Adrian Cortez.”
Andrian frowned.
“Who is he?”
“A businessman.”
“That's all?”
“No.”
Marcus looked toward the window.
“He was the person your father was investigating.”
Chloe felt her stomach tighten.
“So my father was investigating him?”
“Yes.”
“Then why was your firm involved?”
Marcus didn't answer.
Andrian's voice became sharper.
“Dad.”
Marcus finally looked at his son.
“Because I was trying to protect your father.”
Chloe stared at him.
“Protect him from what?”
“Cortez.”
Andrian shook his head.
“Then why does Exhibit 17 contain your signature?”
Marcus closed his eyes.
“Because I made a deal.”
“With Cortez?”
“Yes.”
Chloe's expression hardened.
“What kind of deal?”
Marcus hesitated.
“I agreed to bury the evidence.”
Silence filled the room.
Andrian stared at his father.
“You destroyed the case.”
“I thought I was protecting everyone.”
“You betrayed Daniel.”
“I saved his life.”
Chloe's eyes widened.
“You knew he was in danger?”
Marcus nodded.
“Cortez wanted him gone.”
“Then what happened?”
“Daniel refused to stop.”
Marcus looked at Chloe.
“He gave me Exhibit 17 and asked me to protect it.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
His voice broke slightly.
“I failed him.”
Andrian looked away.
For the first time, Chloe could see how much the truth hurt him.
Then Marcus suddenly looked toward the library door.
“Someone is listening.”
Andrian turned.
The door was slightly open.
He rushed toward it.
The hallway was empty.
But there was something on the floor.
An envelope.
Andrian picked it up.
His name was written on the front.
He opened it.
Inside was a single photograph.
Marcus.
Daniel.
And Adrian Cortez.
Standing together.
But the date on the photograph was from after Daniel supposedly disappeared.
Chloe stared at it.
“This means my father came back.”
Marcus looked at the photograph.
His face went pale.
“No.”
“What?”
“That photograph shouldn't exist.”
Andrian turned toward him.
“Why?”
Marcus whispered:
“Because Daniel was supposed to be dead.”
Chloe froze.
Andrian's eyes widened.
“What did you just say?”
Marcus looked at Chloe.
“I never said he was dead.”
“But you just said—”
“I said that's what Cortez wanted everyone to believe.”
Chloe's heart pounded.
“Then where is my father?”
Marcus didn't answer.
A loud crash came from downstairs.
Everyone turned.
Andrian immediately moved toward the door.
“Stay here.”
Chloe followed him.
“No.”
“Chloe.”
“We're going together.”
They hurried downstairs.
The front door was wide open.
The security alarm was ringing.
And on the floor was another envelope.
Andrian picked it up.
Inside was a note.
IF YOU WANT TO FIND DANIEL ZANE, GO TO THE PLACE WHERE IT ALL BEGAN.
Beneath the words was an address.
Chloe read it.
Her eyes widened.
She knew that place.
It was the old law office where her father had worked twelve years ago.
Andrian looked at her.
“That's where we're going.”
Chloe nodded.
But before they could leave, Marcus called after them.
“Andrian.”
He stopped.
Marcus looked at his son.
“Don't trust anyone there.”
Andrian frowned.
“Why?”
Marcus's voice was barely a whisper.
“Because one of the people who betrayed your father is still alive.”
Chloe looked at Andrian.
Andrian looked back at her.
Neither of them knew what waited for them at the old office.
But one thing was certain.
They were finally getting close to Daniel Zane.
And whoever had been hiding the truth for twelve years was running out of places to hide.
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