Chapter 17 - MY FATHER'S LAST SECRET
My father had hired Owen Kane first.
Not to kill Adrian.
To frighten him.
Charles knew Adrian had discovered the original audit proving he framed Margaret's husband years earlier.
He wanted the ledger back.
He sent Owen to the hotel.
Owen confronted Adrian.
Adrian refused.
The fight moved onto the balcony.
Adrian fell.
My father learned the truth the next morning.
Then covered it up.
Susan helped.
"Why?" I asked her.
She looked exhausted.
"Because your father said one dead son was enough. If Owen went down, he would expose everything."
"So you protected my brother's killer."
"Yes."
There was no defense left in her voice.
My mother began sobbing.
"Charles told me Adrian was drunk."
Susan looked at her.
"He lied to everyone."
The past was ugly.
My father had built an empire with theft, blackmail, and fear.
Then spent decades teaching us that family reputation was sacred.
Mara arrested Susan.
Celeste was not charged that night, but her careless involvement in the attack remained under investigation.
Julian surrendered his devices and agreed to cooperate.
Grant was cleared of the forged North Crown documents.
And Owen Kane was still missing.
At 3:11 a.m., Elena's phone rang.
Her sister.
Elena answered.
Then her knees buckled.
"What?"
I caught her before she fell.
Her sister's apartment door had been forced open.
Elena's daughter, Sofia, was gone.
On the kitchen table was one note.
BRING ETHAN TO THE OLD VALE AIRFIELD.
NO POLICE.
Noah stood in the hall listening.
I saw fear spread across his face.
Elena looked at me.
"You can't go."
"He's using your daughter to get me."
"Exactly."
I picked up my coat.
"Then he gets me."
Mara blocked the door.
May you like
"Not alone."
This time, I didn't argue.
