Chapter 10: The Enemy Revealed
387 Words
Ethan arrived at Emma's office less than fifteen minutes after her call.
The moment he entered the building, he walked straight toward her.
"Are you okay?"
Emma nodded, but her hands were still shaking.
She showed him the threatening messages.
Ethan's expression darkened.
"This has gone too far."
He immediately called Daniel.
"I want every security camera near Emma's apartment, office, and the park checked within the next hour."
"Yes, sir."
"And hire two bodyguards."
"Immediately."
Emma looked surprised.
"Bodyguards?"
"I won't let anything happen to you."
She gently touched his arm.
"I don't want you risking everything because of me."
Ethan smiled sadly.
"You're not 'everything.'"
"You are my everything."
Emma felt her heart skip a beat.
...
That evening, Daniel entered Ethan's office carrying a thick file.
"We found something."
Ethan looked up.
"What is it?"
"The private investigator identified the man driving the stolen car."
"Who is he?"
Daniel placed a photograph on the desk.
His name was Victor Hale.
A former employee of Brooks Corporation.
"He was fired three years ago for stealing company money."
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
"Why is he after Emma?"
Daniel hesitated.
"Because... someone hired him."
"Who?"
Daniel slowly pushed another photograph across the desk.
Ethan's face turned cold.
It was Sophia.
"I knew it..."
Daniel shook his head.
"Not exactly."
"There is someone even more powerful behind this."
Ethan frowned.
"Who?"
Daniel took a deep breath.
"We're still investigating."
"But Sophia isn't acting alone."
...
Meanwhile, Emma returned home after work.
As she unlocked her apartment door, she noticed a small envelope lying on the floor.
There was no name.
No address.
Only one sentence written in black ink.
**'Leave Ethan... before it's too late.'**
Emma's heartbeat quickened.
Inside the envelope was an old photograph.
It showed Ethan as a teenager standing beside another boy.
Across the second boy's face, someone had drawn a large red X.
Emma immediately called Ethan.
"Ethan..."
"I found something."
"What happened?"
"There was a photograph inside an envelope."
"What photograph?"
"I think..."
"...I think someone from your past is trying to send us a message."
For several seconds, Ethan said nothing.
Then he whispered,
"I know who that boy is."
Emma's voice trembled.
"Who is he?"
Ethan closed his eyes.
"My younger brother..."
"...who disappeared fifteen years ago."
**End of Chapter 10**
- Writer
