The Truth Hidden In Cross Industries

Chapter 4: The warning

Nadia's Pov

Days passed. I had settled into my routine at Cross Industries.

During the day I was the perfect employee. I was punctual. I carried out my work diligently. I attended meetings. I smiled at my coworkers.

But at night I was watching. Always watching and waiting.

I noticed which doors required key cards to unlock, even where the cameras were pointed.

I noticed the old wing on the fifth floor was sealed off. No one even talked about it.

I knew somehow that was my Dad's office.

The wait was over, now it was time for me to act. I decided to make my move on a Wednesday night.

My boss, Margaret Lin walked up to me.

"Aren't you done with going through the last files yet?" She asked

"Not quite yet, I'm just double checking everything, wouldn't want any mistakes made after all."

"That's good to hear but sometimes I wonder if you're too focused on your work and aren't getting enough rest."

"All I'm saying is you don't need to push yourself so hard and it's good to take breaks."

I had never seen her so concerned before.

"Thank you for the concern. I really do appreciate it. But I'm just trying to be as detailed as possible."

"I'll try to get some rest after I'm done here," I said with a smile.

"Alright then, I'll leave you to it. See you tomorrow Miss White," She said as she walked towards the elevator.

Most of the staff left by 4:30pm and the cleaning staff came by 5:00pm. That would give me a small window to go check it out.

I waited until the floor was empty. And then walked over to the old wing.

I stood at the door a little anxious.

It was locked but I had gotten the key card to it earlier.

I opened the door and stepped in.

My Father's office. Everything was covered in dust.

I started searching the files, the cabinets and the drawers. Nothing seemed out of place.

I was so focused I didn't hear anything. Until a voice cut through the silence.

“What are you doing here?”

I froze. Then I turned around slowly.

It was Levi. He stood in the doorway with a cold gaze, fixed on me.

“I asked you a question, didn't I?”

He said with his stern yet smooth voice.

“I…” I was just looking for some files.

“By this time? In a locked office?”

I didn't answer.

“This isn't just curiosity. I've noticed you watching, asking questions. Who are you really?”

He stepped closer

“You need to stay away from this. You don't understand what you're getting yourself into.”

“Then tell me, I said confidently, tell me what happened to him.”

His gaze steadied “Tell you what happened to who?”

I took a breath, “Daniel White”. I said. “He was my father.”

Levi's expression changed. Shock, understanding and something else I couldn't quite name.

“Nadia White,” he said slowly. “I knew there was something familiar about your name.

“I didn't come here to start my career. I came here to find out what actually happened to my Dad.”

He was quiet for a moment.

“I'm not going to fire you.”

“What?” I stared at him in shock.

“I've been investigating this myself,” he said. “I said to stay away because I knew it was dangerous, I was trying to protect you.”

“Protect me from what exactly?”

“I don't know all the information yet, but I know your father found something. Something that someone in this company didn't want him to find. And I know it got him killed.”

“Then help me,” I said. “Help me find the truth.”

He hesitated. “No. It's too dangerous”

“I don't care. I already lost my Dad, I have nothing left to lose.”

His gaze shifted. “Fine but we'll do this my way. Carefully.”

Over the following days we worked together. Quietly. Carefully.

I saw a different side to him. Not just the CEO, but someone who cared. Who genuinely wanted to find the truth.

I felt myself starting to trust him. Starting to…

But I didn't let myself go there, I couldn't.

Then it happened.

I was walking to my car after work, when someone grabbed me from behind.

I tried to fight them off but they were too strong. I heard a voice.

“Stop digging, or next time it won't be a warning.”

Everything went dark.

*...*

I woke up in the hospital bed.

I saw Levi beside me. His face was pale and it looked like he hadn't gotten any sleep.

“You're awake,” he said in relief.

“What happened?”

“I found you unconscious in the parking lot and brought you here,” he said.

“I remember being attacked and a voice telling me to stop digging,” I said as I sat up slowly.

“But I won't stop.”

“Are you crazy? You ended up in the hospital and this was just a warning.”

“Imagine if they…”

I held his hand.

“They didn't. I knew what I was getting myself into when I decided to keep digging.”

“I won't stop now.”

He went quiet for a moment and shook his head.

“I should've known you'd say that,” he said.

And despite everything, he smiled.

I smiled back even though it hurt.

“We're going to find out what happened to my father,” I said. “Together.”