chapter 9:The hidden Truth
487 Words
A heavy silence settled over Adrian's office.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
The missing file had changed everything.
Ava looked from Adrian to William, her heart pounding.
"What was in that file?"
Adrian slowly lowered himself into a chair. For the first time since she'd met him, he looked frightened.
"It contained the truth about your mother's disappearance... and the people who wanted our family destroyed."
Lucas frowned.
"Father, I thought that file was locked away years ago."
"It was."
William clenched his jaw.
"Which means whoever stole it knew exactly where to find it."
Grace's face grew pale.
"They've finally found us."
Ava turned to her mother.
"What do you mean?"
Grace took a shaky breath.
"Twenty-two years ago, your father discovered that someone inside his company was secretly working with a powerful criminal organization."
"They were stealing millions from Ashford Global."
"When your father refused to stay silent, they threatened to destroy our family."
Adrian nodded.
"I thought I could protect you."
"But they learned about your mother's pregnancy."
"They wanted to eliminate every member of my family."
Ava felt a chill run through her body.
"So... they wanted to kill me before I was even born?"
William answered quietly.
"Yes."
"The day you were born, your mother disappeared with you before they could strike."
Tears filled Ava's eyes.
Her mother had spent twenty-two years protecting her from people she had never even known existed.
Just then, Daniel rushed into the office.
"Mr. Ashford!"
"I've just received a call from the police."
Adrian looked up.
"What happened?"
"They've found the abandoned car used by the thief."
"Was the file inside?"
Daniel slowly shook his head.
"No."
"But they found something else."
He placed a small envelope on the desk.
William carefully opened it.
Inside was a single playing card.
The Ace of Spades.
Written across it in red ink were six chilling words.
WELCOME HOME, MISS ASHFORD.
Ava's blood ran cold.
"They know I'm here."
Lucas immediately stood beside her.
"This isn't just a warning."
"It's a message."
William nodded grimly.
"They wanted us to know they can reach us whenever they want."
Adrian's expression hardened.
"No."
"They won't touch my daughter."
He looked directly at William.
"From this moment on, activate Level Black security."
William's eyes widened.
"Sir... that's our highest security protocol."
"I know."
"No visitors without my approval."
"Double the guards."
"And no one leaves this estate alone."
William nodded.
"It will be done immediately."
As everyone prepared to leave the office, Ava noticed something lying beneath Adrian's desk.
It was a small silver key.
She quietly picked it up.
"Father..."
"I found this."
Adrian stared at the key.
His face turned white.
"That's impossible."
"What is it?" Ava asked.
Adrian slowly took the key from her trembling hand.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"This key opens a vault..."
"...that no one except me was ever supposed to know existed."
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