The Billionaire’s Unfinished Vow

Chapter 8: The Truth Beneath Everything

Elowen had always trusted Nathaniel Cole.

She had never trusted anyone blindly, but she trusted him enough to think that his goals coincided

with her own, at least partially. In a career based on shifting allegiances and brittle reputation, he had

served as her editor, mentor, and pillar of support.

That's why it felt strange to be standing across from him now.

"You ought to quit," he replied.

The words were straightforward.

Even though something uncomfortable was stirring beneath the surface, Elowen calmly folded her

arms.

"Stop what?" she questioned.

"This inquiry."

His voice was unhesitating.

There's no place for compromise.

And that was all she needed to know.

Her eyes narrowed a little. "That won't occur."

In a gesture that would have seemed sincere to someone else, Nathaniel sighed and ran a hand

through his hair, but she didn't see it.

"You're not looking at the wider picture."

She answered, "Then show me." "Explain it."

He paused.

Something broke during that moment of indecision.

He acknowledged, "You were never meant to finish it."

Elowen gazed at him, trying to make sense of what she had just heard.

Though a part of her already understood, she said, "What does that mean?"

"It means that every lead you followed, every connection you uncovered... wasn't entirely your own,"

he stated cautiously.

Her chest constricted.

She said, "You led me."

"Yes."

The confirmation came right away.

And terrible.

She came to a silent, sad realization.

"You took advantage of me."

"That wasn't how it was."

Her voice tightened as she answered, "It was exactly like that." "You provided me with

information." My investigation was guided by you. You gave me the impression that I was

discovering something naturally when, in fact—

He interjected, saying, "You were doing exactly what needed to be done."

"And who made that decision?" she insisted.

Nathaniel remained silent.

He was not required to.

Because there was already the truth.

Journalism had never been a factor in this.

It had been about tactics.

And without ever realizing it, she had participated in it.