Chapter 7 - My Mother Had Chosen Damian Before We Ever Met
The microfilm contained a message.
My mother's handwriting appeared across the screen.
If you are seeing this, the ledger has been found.
I stared.
“She knew.”
Damian stood beside me.
“She knew everything.”
The message continued.
Claire, there is one person I trust to protect you if the network ever comes for you.
A name appeared.
Damian Moretti.
I turned toward him.
“You?”
He looked stunned.
“My mother knew you?”
“She knew my father.”
The message continued.
Damian is not like his father.
I felt tears fill my eyes.
If Damian ever acquires your company, it will not be because he wants your money. It will be because he is trying to destroy the people who destroyed our families.
I looked at Damian.
He was silent.
My mother had known him.
Before I ever met him.
Before the elevator.
Before everything.
She had chosen him.
The final line appeared.
Trust him when he tells you he loves you.
I stopped breathing.
Damian looked at me.
“Claire.”
I couldn't speak.
He stepped closer.
“I've loved you since before I understood what it was.”
My eyes filled with tears.
“That doesn't make sense.”
“I know.”
He touched my cheek.
“But I think my father knew your mother was protecting you.”
I leaned into his hand.
“I love you too.”
He kissed me.
Then the screen flickered.
A second message appeared.
But there is one person you must never trust.
The name appeared.
SILAS GRANT.
Damian's face changed.
“Who is Silas?”
“My mother's attorney.”
“He's alive?”
“Yes.”
“And he's been handling your family's estate.”
I stared.
“He has access to everything.”
Damian immediately called his security team.
But Silas had already disappeared.
His offices were empty.
His accounts had been drained.
And the ledger was gone.
We realized the truth.
Silas had been manipulating the company for years.
He had created the fake documents.
He had paid Caroline.
He had arranged Victor's disappearance.
He had orchestrated the attacks.
And he had been using my mother's name to control the inheritance.
But there was one thing he didn't know.
We had a copy of the ledger.
The microfilm contained everything.
We contacted federal authorities.
For the first time, Damian decided to trust someone outside his organization.
The investigation moved quickly.
Silas was located at a private airport.
But before he could escape, he called me.
“You're just like your mother.”
“What do you want?”
“The microfilm.”
“No.”
“You don't understand.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“You think Damian loves you?”
“He does.”
Silas laughed.
“He'll destroy you.”
I smiled.
“No.”
“You're wrong.”
I looked at Damian.
“He's the first man who ever helped me become stronger.”
The call ended.
Minutes later, Silas was arrested.
But before they took him away, he whispered something to the agents.
May you like
Something that changed everything.
“Damian's organization is going to collapse.”
