Chapter 8: The Person Behind Everything

Aaron and I returned to the hospital before dawn.

My sister-in-law was still weak, but she was conscious. The moment she saw me, tears filled her eyes.

Claire, I am sorry.

I stopped beside her bed.

You don't have to apologize to me.

She shook her head.

You don't understand. I knew something was wrong long before everything happened.

Aaron moved closer.

Tell us everything.

She swallowed painfully.

It started with the investments. James thought he had found several trustworthy partners, but every introduction came through the same person.

Who?

She looked at me.

Mr. Carter.

My brother's financial adviser.

The same name James had written in the note.

My hands went cold.

How long had he been working with them?

I don't know. But I discovered something three months ago.

She reached beneath her pillow and pulled out a small envelope.

I opened it carefully.

Inside were copies of bank transfers, company documents, and photographs.

Aaron examined them one by one.

These transfers were made before Claire ever left the hospital.

My sister-in-law nodded.

That's why I became suspicious. Someone had been moving money from the company long before Claire returned home.

I stared at the documents.

So the financial collapse wasn't caused by me.

She looked at me sadly.

No. You were used as the perfect cover.

My chest tightened.

They knew everyone would blame me.

Aaron's expression darkened.

And once Claire became the public villain, nobody would investigate the financial transfers properly.

Exactly.

I slowly sat beside the bed.

Then why did they target Daniel?

My sister-in-law's face turned pale.

Because Daniel accidentally found something.

What did he find?

A hidden account connected to Carter.

I closed my eyes.

Everything suddenly made sense.

The fake university scheme had been useful to them because it created a trail of suspicious transactions around Daniel.

My actions had made him look guilty.

They didn't need to destroy my family directly.

They only needed me to destroy it for them.

Aaron placed the documents into an evidence folder.

Where is Carter now?

My sister-in-law shook her head.

I don't know. But he called me the night before I disappeared.

What did he say?

He told me that if I kept investigating, Daniel would disappear forever.

I stood up.

Then we need to find Daniel before Carter moves him again.

Aaron nodded.

We already have officers searching the railway area.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

He answered immediately.

His expression changed after only a few seconds.

We found something.

My heart pounded.

Daniel?

Not yet.

Aaron looked at me.

We found Carter's vehicle.

Where?

At the Bowden family's old warehouse.

I froze.

That warehouse had been abandoned after the company collapsed.

It was also the place where my brother had once stored confidential company records.

Aaron picked up his coat.

We're going.

I followed him.

This time, I didn't feel like a helpless woman being dragged from one disaster to another.

I knew exactly what I was fighting for.

When we reached the warehouse, the police surrounded the building.

The main doors were locked.

Aaron signaled the officers.

Within seconds, the doors were forced open.

The smell of dust and gasoline filled the air.

We searched room after room.

Then I heard something.

A faint knocking.

I followed the sound toward the basement.

Aaron caught my arm.

Wait for backup.

But the knocking came again.

Daniel.

We rushed downstairs.

He was tied to a chair in the corner.

His face was bruised, but he was alive.

Auntie.

I ran toward him.

Daniel, are you hurt?

He shook his head.

I'm okay. But you have to leave.

Why?

Because he said you'd come.

My blood ran cold.

Who said that?

Daniel looked behind me.

Carter.

I turned around.

A figure stepped out of the darkness.

Carter was holding a small remote control in his hand.

His expression was calm.

You really are stubborn, Claire.

Aaron immediately raised his weapon.

Drop the remote.

Carter smiled.

You can't shoot me.

Why?

Because the entire building is wired with explosives.

Silence filled the basement.

Carter lifted the remote slightly.

One wrong move, and this entire place disappears.

I stared at him.

You planned everything.

He smiled.

No, Claire. I simply gave you the opportunity to destroy your own family.

My hands curled into fists.

But you made one mistake.

His smile disappeared.

What mistake?

You underestimated how much my family would still love me after everything I did.

Behind Carter, I saw Aaron quietly signal one of his officers.

The officer nodded.

Carter didn't notice.

I stepped forward.

You wanted the flash drive, right?

His eyes sharpened.

Where is it?

I smiled.

Not here.

Carter's face changed.

Then where?

With someone you can never reach.

He raised the remote.

Tell me now.

I looked directly into his eyes.

No.

At that exact moment, Aaron lunged forward.

The officers tackled Carter before he could press the button.

The remote flew across the floor.

Another officer grabbed it and immediately secured it.

The basement erupted into chaos.

Daniel was freed.

I rushed toward him and pulled him into my arms.

For the first time in years, I allowed myself to cry.

Daniel hugged me tightly.

Auntie, why did you do all those terrible things?

I closed my eyes.

Because I thought hurting you was the only way to keep you alive.

He shook his head against my shoulder.

You could have just told us.

I gave a broken laugh.

I know that now.

Across the room, Aaron was questioning Carter.

Then Carter suddenly laughed.

You think you've won?

Aaron stared at him.

The money trail ends with me, but the person who gave the final order is still out there.

My smile disappeared.

Who?

Carter looked directly at me.

Someone from your own family.

The words echoed through the basement.

I looked at my brother.

James had gone completely pale.

He lowered his head and whispered one name.

Dad.