CHAPTER 28: ECHOES OF THE TRUTH
814 Words
The drive back to Noctis was quiet.
Kelvin kept one hand on the steering wheel while the other rested on the leather folder containing his father's letter.
Mackenzie glanced at him.
"You don't have to carry everything by yourself."
Kelvin smiled faintly without taking his eyes off the road.
"I'm beginning to realize that."
She returned his smile.
"Good."
For the first time in years, sharing his burden didn't feel like weakness.
---
At Lawson Manor...
Damien gathered the security team in the operations room.
"The photographer escaped."
One of the guards lowered his head.
"We searched the forest, sir."
"There was no trace of him."
Damien nodded.
"He knew the terrain."
Kelvin entered the room.
"Double Arthur Bennett's security."
"And relocate him to one of our safe houses until we know who we're dealing with."
"Yes, Boss."
Kelvin looked at the digital map of Valestia displayed on the wall.
"Our enemies are no longer chasing money."
"They're chasing history."
---
Meanwhile...
Ricardo DeLuca stood before a massive fireplace in his estate.
Vincent Moretti walked in carrying a worn file.
"Our researchers found something."
Ricardo accepted it.
Inside was an old newspaper clipping dated twenty-two years earlier.
The headline read:
Prominent Businessman Alexander Lawson Dies in Mysterious Estate Fire
Ricardo smiled.
"Exactly what I was looking for."
Vincent frowned.
"Everyone believed it was an accident."
Ricardo slowly folded the paper.
"Everyone believed what they were told."
---
The following afternoon...
Mackenzie returned to her office after a successful client meeting.
She was surprised to find a small package waiting on her desk.
"There was no sender," Clara explained.
Mackenzie's expression grew cautious.
"Did security inspect it?"
"Twice."
She carefully opened the box.
Inside was a beautifully bound first edition of The Little Prince.
Tucked inside the cover was a handwritten note.
> You once said you loved bookstores. I thought you'd enjoy owning a story that reminds us to see with the heart, not just the eyes.
— Kelvin
A genuine smile spread across her face.
Sophia, peeking into the office, couldn't contain herself.
"He sent you a book?"
Mackenzie laughed softly.
"He remembered."
Sophia clasped her hands dramatically.
"Bestie, flowers fade. Jewelry sparkles. But a man who remembers the little things? That's dangerous."
Mackenzie shook her head, smiling.
"I think it's thoughtful."
---
Later that evening...
Kelvin received an unexpected visitor.
His younger cousin, Elena Lawson, stepped into the manor carrying a travel bag.
She had recently returned from studying abroad.
She hugged Kelvin tightly.
"I've missed you."
Kelvin smiled warmly.
"It's good to have you home."
Elena looked around the study.
"So..."
"I hear there's someone special."
Damien, standing nearby, quietly excused himself to hide his grin.
Kelvin sighed.
"News travels fast."
Elena laughed.
"In this family?"
"Faster than the internet."
Kelvin couldn't help but laugh.
"You'll meet her soon."
---
Elsewhere...
The masked photographer stood before Ricardo.
"I have another report."
Ricardo looked up.
"The woman received a gift today."
"What kind?"
"A book."
Ricardo frowned.
"A book?"
The photographer nodded.
"They're growing closer."
Ricardo leaned back in his chair.
"I underestimated Kelvin."
Vincent raised an eyebrow.
"How?"
"I expected him to impress her with wealth."
Instead...
"He's winning her with sincerity."
Ricardo's expression darkened.
"That makes him far more dangerous."
---
Two days later...
Mackenzie accepted Kelvin's invitation to visit a charity center funded by Lawson Holdings.
Children ran happily across the playground.
Volunteers prepared meals.
Teachers led classrooms filled with laughter.
The children greeted Kelvin with excitement.
"Mr. Lawson!"
He smiled as several of them rushed over for hugs.
Mackenzie watched in surprise.
"They know you."
"I visit whenever I can."
One little girl tugged gently on Mackenzie's hand.
"Are you Mr. Lawson's friend?"
Mackenzie smiled.
"I hope so."
The little girl giggled.
"I like you."
Kelvin watched the interaction from a distance.
His heart felt unexpectedly light.
This was the world his parents had dreamed of creating—a world where power served people, not fear.
Mackenzie walked over to him.
"I never imagined this side of you."
Kelvin looked at the children.
"My father used to say..."
"'If your success doesn't lift someone else, then it isn't success at all.'"
Mackenzie smiled.
"I think he'd be proud of you."
For a moment, Kelvin couldn't speak.
Her words meant more than she realized.
---
As they prepared to leave...
A volunteer handed Kelvin an old envelope.
"It was delivered this morning."
"There was no name."
Kelvin opened it.
Inside was a single photograph.
It showed his parents standing beside another couple.
The faces of the second couple had been deliberately burned away.
On the back, someone had written:
Ask yourself who survived the fire... and why.
Kelvin's expression froze.
Mackenzie looked at him with concern.
"What is it?"
Kelvin slowly folded the photograph.
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"The past..."
"...has finally come looking for me."
- Writer
