Chapter 8 - ETHAN VALE RETURNSThe boss stared at the man he had buried in his memories.
Ethan looked older.
Thinner.
There was a scar across his cheek.
But the eyes were unmistakable.
Sad.
Exhausted.
Alive.
The boss took one step forward.
“You're dead.”
Ethan smiled faintly.
“So are most of the people who know the truth.”
The boss looked at the girl.
“How did you get her?”
“She found me.”
“That isn't an answer.”
“It is tonight.”
The girl stepped between them.
“Don't fight.”
Neither man moved.
Ethan crouched.
“Your boss wants to know why you're here.”
She nodded.
“He needs to know what Mommy found.”
Ethan looked at the boss.
“Her mother discovered a list.”
“The ledger.”
“Yes.”
“Names?”
“Names, payments, dates, locations.”
“Politicians?”
“Some.”
“Military?”
“Some.”
“Who runs it?”
Ethan's expression darkened.
“That is the part you're not ready for.”
The boss stepped closer.
“Try me.”
Ethan reached into his coat.
The boss immediately raised his hand.
Ethan stopped.
Then slowly removed a photograph.
He handed it over.
The boss looked down.
His breath caught.
The photograph showed him as a child.
Standing beside his father.
Beside them stood another man.
A younger version of the current security chief.
The boss looked at Ethan.
“What is this?”
“Your father knew them.”
“My father died before I joined the company.”
“Your father didn't build your company.”
The boss stared.
“He inherited it.”
A long silence followed.
The girl looked toward the stairs.
“Someone is coming.”
Both men turned.
Footsteps.
Slow.
Measured.
The chandelier above them flickered.
Ethan whispered:
“We have thirty seconds.”
“Until what?”
“The house locks down.”
The boss immediately understood.
He had installed the system himself.
Once activated, every door would seal.
Every window would lock.
The security team would arrive.
Nobody would leave.
The lights went red.
The mansion doors slammed shut.
The girl grabbed the boss's hand.
Ethan moved toward the study.
“There's another exit.”
The boss followed.
“Where?”
“Behind your father's portrait.”
They reached the study.
Ethan pulled the portrait aside.
A hidden door opened.
The boss stared.
“I didn't know this existed.”
Ethan looked at him.
“That's why they chose you.”
The three disappeared inside.
Behind them, someone entered the mansion.
The security chief stood alone in the hallway.
He looked toward the hidden door.
Then smiled.
“They always forget one thing.”
May you like
He touched his earpiece.
“I built the second exit.”
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