BOUND TO THE BILLIONAIRE BY CONTRACT

ECHOES OF THE TRUTH

Chapter 33 – Echoes of the Truth

The next morning...

For the first time in weeks, Ethan overslept.

When he opened his eyes, sunlight was already streaming through the curtains.

He frowned before reaching for his phone.

8:15 a.m.

"I've never slept this late," he muttered.

Just then, he noticed a neatly folded note on his bedside table.

Good morning.

You looked exhausted, so I asked Daniel to delay your morning meetings by an hour. Breakfast is waiting downstairs.

— Olivia

A small smile appeared on his face.

She had quietly rearranged his schedule without disturbing him.

For someone who claimed she knew nothing about business...

She understood exactly what he needed.

---

Downstairs...

Olivia was helping William water the roses in the garden.

William smiled knowingly.

"You've become quite protective of him."

Olivia laughed softly.

"I only wanted him to get some rest."

"You care about him."

She looked down at the watering can in her hands.

"I do."

The words came naturally.

Without hesitation.

Without fear.

William's smile widened.

"I've waited a long time to hear someone say that."

---

A few minutes later, Ethan walked into the garden.

He looked refreshed, though traces of last night's exhaustion still lingered.

Olivia looked up and smiled.

"Good morning."

"Good morning."

"I hope you don't mind."

"What?"

"I postponed your first meeting."

Ethan chuckled.

"So Daniel was following your orders?"

She looked embarrassed.

"I only thought..."

"...you needed more sleep."

He stepped closer.

"You were right."

"Thank you."

William quietly excused himself, hiding a satisfied smile as he walked back toward the house.

"They don't even notice when they're alone anymore," he murmured.

---

Breakfast was unusually cheerful.

Chef Martin proudly served a traditional breakfast while Anna happily poured fresh orange juice.

Halfway through the meal, Daniel entered carrying a tablet.

"Sorry to interrupt."

Ethan looked up.

"What is it?"

"We've received another invitation."

Olivia smiled.

"Please don't tell me it's another gala."

Daniel shook his head.

"No."

"It's from the Children's Future Foundation."

Olivia's expression brightened.

"The literacy charity?"

Daniel nodded.

"They're hosting a fundraising event next weekend."

"They're requesting Mrs. Carter as the guest speaker."

Olivia looked pleasantly surprised.

"Me?"

"They specifically requested you."

Ethan smiled.

"I think you should accept."

She looked uncertain.

"After everything that's happened?"

"Especially after everything that's happened."

He reached across the table and gently squeezed her hand.

"You've inspired a lot of people."

"Don't let anyone take that away from you."

She smiled warmly.

"Alright."

"I'll do it."

---

Across the city...

Adrian Brooks received a phone call.

"She accepted?"

Victor Hayes asked.

"Yes."

Victor smiled.

"Excellent."

Adrian hesitated.

"Victor..."

"I've been thinking."

Victor remained silent.

"I don't think Mrs. Carter deserves any of this."

The room fell quiet.

Victor's voice became colder.

"You've grown attached."

"No."

"I've simply realized she's innocent."

Victor slowly stood.

"Innocent people often become casualties."

"That's unfortunate."

"But necessary."

Adrian frowned.

"I agreed to help expose Carter."

"I didn't agree to hurt Olivia."

Victor's eyes narrowed.

"You don't get to change the rules now."

The call ended.

Adrian lowered his phone, his heart heavy.

For the first time...

He seriously considered walking away.

---

Meanwhile...

At Carter Group Headquarters...

Richard Collins hurried into Ethan's office.

"We've uncovered another connection."

Ethan motioned for him to continue.

"It concerns Charles Bennett."

Richard placed an old newspaper on the desk.

The headline read:

PHOENIX TECHNOLOGIES CO-FOUNDER DIES IN TRAGIC CAR ACCIDENT

Ethan stared at the article.

His hands slowly tightened.

Richard spoke carefully.

"The police ruled it an accident."

"But..."

"Our investigators found something unusual."

"What?"

"The investigation was closed in less than twenty-four hours."

Ethan looked up sharply.

"That's impossible."

Richard nodded.

"And several witness statements disappeared."

Silence filled the office.

For years...

Ethan had accepted Charles Bennett's death as a tragic accident.

Now...

He wasn't so sure.

Far across the city, Victor Hayes stood before the window of his office, watching the skyline.

A faint smile crossed his face.

"Keep searching, Ethan."

"The deeper you dig..."

"...the closer you come to the truth

Ethan remained motionless after Richard left his office.

The old newspaper lay open on his desk.

Its faded headline seemed heavier now than it had twelve years ago.

PHOENIX TECHNOLOGIES CO-FOUNDER DIES IN TRAGIC CAR ACCIDENT

He had believed those words for years.

Now...

Every sentence felt like a lie.

His office phone rang, pulling him from his thoughts.

"Mr. Carter," Daniel said. "Your three o'clock meeting is ready."

Ethan looked once more at Charles Bennett's photograph before closing the file.

"I'm coming."

---

At Carter Manor...

Olivia spent the afternoon preparing notes for her speech at the Children's Future Foundation.

Several books and handwritten pages covered the coffee table.

Anna walked in carrying fresh lemonade.

"You've been working for hours."

Olivia smiled.

"I want the speech to be perfect."

"I'm speaking to children, teachers, and volunteers."

"I want every word to matter."

Anna placed the tray on the table.

"It already will."

Olivia looked up.

"How do you know?"

Anna smiled warmly.

"Because you always speak from your heart."

Before Olivia could answer, her phone vibrated.

An unknown number.

She hesitated before answering.

"Hello?"

A familiar voice came through the speaker.

"Mrs. Carter."

It was Adrian Brooks.

"Mr. Brooks?"

"I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Not at all."

"I wanted to congratulate you again on accepting our invitation."

"Everyone at the foundation is excited."

Olivia smiled.

"I'm looking forward to meeting everyone."

Adrian hesitated.

"Mrs. Carter..."

"If anyone asks uncomfortable questions at the event..."

"...please don't feel pressured to answer."

Olivia frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing."

"I just wanted you to be prepared."

Before she could ask another question...

The call ended.

She stared at the phone.

Something about Adrian's tone unsettled her.

---

Across the city...

Victor Hayes was less than pleased.

His assistant stood before him with lowered eyes.

"Adrian warned her."

Victor's expression darkened.

"So..."

"His conscience is becoming a problem."

"What should we do?"

Victor walked slowly toward the window.

"No."

"Leave him."

"The closer he gets to Olivia..."

"...the harder this becomes for him."

He smiled coldly.

"Sometimes guilt is more useful than loyalty."

---

That evening...

Ethan finally returned home.

Olivia was waiting for him in the living room.

"You look exhausted."

He smiled faintly.

"I'm beginning to think you can read my mind."

She laughed softly.

"No."

"Just your face."

As they sat together, Olivia told him about Adrian's phone call.

"He warned me."

"He said people might ask uncomfortable questions."

Ethan became thoughtful.

"That's strange."

"I thought so too."

He leaned back.

"Adrian has never struck me as a dishonest man."

"Neither has he."

Olivia looked at Ethan.

"Do you think he's being used?"

Ethan was silent for several moments.

Finally, he nodded.

"It's possible."

"And if that's true..."

"...he may know more than he's willing to say."

---

Just then, Daniel entered carrying another confidential envelope.

"Sir."

"This arrived ten minutes ago."

Ethan accepted it cautiously.

"No sender?"

Daniel shook his head.

"No."

Ethan opened it.

Inside was a single sheet of paper.

There were no threats.

No cryptic messages.

Only one sentence.

'Ask yourself who truly benefited from Charles Bennett's death.'

The room fell silent.

Olivia looked at Ethan.

"What does it mean?"

He stared at the words.

His heartbeat quickened.

For the first time...

A question entered his mind that he had never dared to ask.

If Charles Bennett's death wasn't an accident...

Then who had wanted him gone?

And why?

Far across the city...

Victor Hayes stood in the underground vault, staring at another locked cabinet.

He reached into his pocket and removed an old silver key.

For years...

He had kept its contents hidden.

Now...

He slowly inserted the key into the lock.

"It won't be long now, Ethan," he whispered.

"The truth has been buried for twelve years."

"And soon..."

"...everyone will know who destroyed Phoenix Technolohies