Chapter 4 - The Friend Who Knew EverythingI confronted Madison at the only place she couldn't escape.
My grandmother's funeral memorial.
She arrived alone.
No Ethan.
No Richard.
No security.
She wore black.
She looked exhausted.
“You came,” she said.
“You knew.”
She closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“All my life.”
I stared at her.
“What does that mean?”
“My mother worked for Project Haven.”
I felt numb.
“She recruited your grandmother.”
“Why?”
“Because your grandmother created the original financial network.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
“She did.”
“Then why did she spend her life protecting me?”
“Because she regretted it.”
Madison sat down.
“Your grandmother helped wealthy families hide money.”
“But eventually she discovered what the organization had become.”
“People were being killed.”
“Families were destroyed.”
“Children were being manipulated.”
“She tried to leave.”
“And they threatened you.”
I remembered the video.
“What about my mother?”
Madison's eyes filled with tears.
“Your mother discovered everything.”
“Your grandmother tried to save her.”
“She failed.”
“Richard killed her?”
Madison nodded.
“Yes.”
“Then why did my grandmother keep working with him?”
“She didn't.”
“Your grandmother secretly built evidence against him.”
I stared.
“Then why did you say she was part of Project Haven?”
“Because I was trying to protect you.”
“By making me hate her?”
Madison cried.
“I needed you to stay away from the truth.”
“Why?”
“Because the people behind Project Haven aren't just Richard Vance.”
“Who else?”
Madison looked around.
“They're everywhere.”
Politicians.
Judges.
Bankers.
Corporate executives.
Even law enforcement.
Marcus appeared behind me.
“That's why Thomas was killed.”
Madison nodded.
“I knew he was next.”
“Then why didn't you warn us?”
“Because they were watching me.”
I looked at her.
“You still betrayed me.”
“Yes.”
“Ethan?”
She lowered her head.
“I was never his mistress.”
I stared.
“What?”
“He pretended to love you because he needed access to your company.”
“And you?”
“I pretended to hate you.”
“Why?”
“Because they needed someone inside your life.”
I felt tears burn my eyes.
“You chose them.”
“No.”
She looked directly at me.
“I chose you.”
I didn't know what to believe.
Then she handed me a flash drive.
“Your grandmother left this for you.”
“What is it?”
“The final account.”
I took it.
“What's on it?”
“Every name.”
Marcus plugged it into his laptop.
Thousands of files appeared.
Names.
Payments.
Evidence.
Then one name appeared at the top.
Richard Vance.
But beneath it was another.
Agent Marcus Vance.
I froze.
I slowly looked at him.
He stared at the screen.
His face had gone pale.
Madison whispered:
“That's why I was afraid to trust him.”
Marcus didn't move.
Then he pulled his weapon.
I stepped backward.
“Marcus?”
He pointed the gun at Madison.
“She's lying.”
Madison shook her head.
“No.”
Marcus looked at me.
“Claire, don't listen to her.”
My heart pounded.
“Then why is your name here?”
He said nothing.
The room became silent.
Then the doors locked.
A voice came through the speakers.
“Congratulations, Claire.”
May you like
Richard Vance.
“You've finally found the truth.”
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