Chapter 47: The Secret Left Behind

Victor Hale's final secret arrived in a plain envelope.

It was delivered to Scarlett's office by courier with no return address. Security scanned it twice before allowing her to open it. Inside was a single photograph and a note.

Ask Alexander what his father took from yours.

Scarlett stared at the photograph.

It showed her grandfather, William Whitmore, standing beside Alexander's father, Dante Moretti. They were younger, dressed in formal suits, shaking hands outside a courthouse. The date printed in the corner was twenty years old.

Scarlett had never known her grandfather had dealings with the Morettis.

She took the photograph to Alexander that evening.

He was in his study, reviewing security reports. When he saw the image, every softness left his face.

'Where did you get this?'

'Victor sent it.'

Alexander said nothing.

Scarlett's heart tightened. 'You recognize it.'

'Yes.'

'Then tell me.'

He looked away.

The silence hurt more than she expected.

'Alexander.'

He turned back slowly. 'Your grandfather and my father made an agreement. Whitmore Industries had been used to move money by people connected to Victor Hale. Your grandfather discovered it and went to my father for help.'

Scarlett waited.

'Dante Moretti cleaned the operation,' Alexander continued. 'But he demanded control over certain shipping routes as repayment.'

'That sounds like business.'

'It became more. Your grandfather later believed my father used Whitmore access for Moretti interests. Their friendship broke.'

Scarlett studied him. 'Did your family hurt mine?'

Alexander's jaw tightened. 'Not your mother. Not you.'

'That is not what I asked.'

His eyes darkened with old guilt. 'My father destroyed a Whitmore partner company to protect his own empire. People lost jobs. Your grandfather never forgave him.'

Scarlett looked down at the photograph. 'And you never told me.'

'Because it was not part of your accident.'

'It was part of my family history. My grandfather trusted you with my protection while hating what your family did?'

'He trusted me because I was not my father.'

Scarlett wanted to believe that. She did believe it. But the secrecy cut.

'No more hidden truths,' she said.

Alexander stepped closer. 'No more.'

Neither of them knew Victor had not sent the worst secret yet.