Chapter 5 - The Woman Who Was Supposed to Destroy Him
The blackmail arrived three days later.
A video.
Graham receiving confidential documents from a former employee.
Paige recognized the employee.
Her father.
She went pale.
“Graham.”
He watched the screen.
“When was this?”
“Three years ago.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“I didn't know.”
The video continued.
Her father handed Graham a flash drive.
Then the recording ended.
Graham looked at Paige.
“This is why they hired you.”
She stared.
“What?”
“To get close to me.”
“No.”
“Think.”
“No.”
“Your father knew someone would target Westbridge again.”
“You think I was sent here.”
“I think someone wanted you here.”
Pain flashed across her face.
“So that's it?”
“I don't know.”
“Then why are you looking at me like I'm guilty?”
“Because I don't know who to trust.”
She stepped backward.
“I never lied to you about why I came.”
“You lied by omission.”
“Because I needed a job!”
“And you needed access.”
Her face changed.
“That isn't fair.”
“I know.”
“Then don't say it.”
He looked away.
She grabbed her coat.
“I'm leaving.”
“Paige.”
“No.”
“Wait.”
“I trusted you.”
“I’m trying to protect you.”
“By accusing me?”
He had no answer.
She walked out.
For the first time in weeks, Graham's office felt exactly as it had before she arrived.
Empty.
Cold.
Pointless.
The next morning, Paige's father disappeared from the nursing facility.
No cameras.
No witnesses.
Only an empty bed.
A note remained.
BRING THE GIRL TO THE WAREHOUSE.
Paige received the call.
She went alone.
She never told Graham.
That was the mistake.
The warehouse sat near the river.
Paige entered.
Her father was tied to a chair.
“Dad.”
He opened his eyes.
“Paige?”
She ran toward him.
A man appeared behind her.
She froze.
“You shouldn't have come.”
“Who are you?”
“Someone who knows the truth.”
He showed her documents.
Her father's fraud.
Graham's transactions.
Westbridge's board.
Then one name repeated throughout the files.
Daniel Hayes.
Graham's chief financial officer.
Paige's breath stopped.
“Daniel?”
“He's been stealing from Westbridge for years.”
“No.”
“He framed your father.”
Paige stared.
“Why?”
“Because your father found him.”
Her father shook his head.
“Don't listen.”
The man smiled.
“Your father was going to expose him.”
Paige looked at her father.
“Is that true?”
“Yes.”
Her heart broke.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“I tried.”
“Where?”
“They intercepted my letters.”
The man stepped closer.
“Your father never betrayed Westbridge.”
Paige stared.
“Then who did?”
“Daniel.”
A gunshot sounded.
The man fell.
Graham entered.
He had tracked Paige's phone.
He rushed toward her.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
Her father looked at him.
“Graham.”
Graham froze.
“You know me?”
“I knew your father.”
Graham's expression changed.
“My father?”
“Before he died, he told me to protect you.”
Silence.
Paige looked at Graham.
Graham looked at her.
Then Daniel stepped into the warehouse.
He was holding a gun.
“You should have listened to me, Graham.”
Graham turned.
“Daniel.”
His best friend smiled.
“I gave you ten years.”
“You betrayed me.”
“I improved you.”
Daniel raised the gun.
“Westbridge should have been mine.”
Paige's father shouted.
“Run!”
A shot rang out.
Graham shoved Paige aside.
The bullet struck his shoulder.
Paige screamed.
Daniel fled.
Police sirens approached.
Graham collapsed.
Paige caught him.
“You're bleeding.”
“I know.”
“Don't joke.”
“I'm trying to make you less scared.”
Her eyes filled.
“You idiot.”
He smiled weakly.
“Still here.”
She pressed a hand against his wound.
“Don't leave me.”
May you like
His eyes searched hers.
“I wasn't planning to.”
