Chapter 97: Victor's Evidence

The document cases from the warehouse finally produced something stronger than suspicion.

Derek found a series of transfers between an Adrian-linked trust and Greyline's predecessor. The payments began years before Freya's parents died and continued intermittently through the period when Stone Holdings collapsed.

More importantly, Victor had preserved copies of messages between Adrian and Thomas Grant.

The messages used coded language, but several references aligned with known events.

One message from years earlier read: "D is still comparing invoices with C. T says the estate route remains protected."

Derek believed D meant David, C meant Charles, and T referred to Thomas.

Another, sent shortly before Louis's business war with Ethan intensified, said: "The younger Stone reacts exactly as expected. Hale only needs another push."

Louis read the line without expression.

Freya did not. "They were talking about you like a chess piece."

"Yes."

The messages still needed authentication. Screenshots could be fabricated. Derek sent the devices and storage media to independent forensic specialists.

Victor had also included a handwritten statement explaining his own role. He admitted helping conceal Adrian's early financial misconduct and later monitoring Louis's systems without authorization. He claimed he had tried to limit Adrian's sabotage but feared exposing himself.

Freya wasn't impressed. "He protected himself first."

"Yes," Louis said.

No amount of later regret erased Victor's choices.

Then Derek received a call from the investigator following the warehouse SUV.

Victor was alive.

He had managed to evade the men pursuing him and contacted the investigator through a number hidden inside the documents.

He wanted another meeting, but this time he agreed to Derek's security conditions.

Louis hesitated.

Freya understood why. Victor had lied for years, participated in financial misconduct, and concealed information about her parents.

"We still need him," she said.

"I know."

"Needing his testimony doesn't mean forgiving him."

Louis looked at her. "You really have learned how I think."

"Unfortunately."

The second meeting was arranged at a lawyer's office with cameras and independent witnesses.

Victor arrived exhausted but unharmed.

He signed a preliminary statement confirming that Adrian Stone had directed Greyline-linked operations and that Thomas Grant had helped preserve access to family entities.

Then Louis asked the question Freya cared about most.

"Did Adrian order anything against David and his wife?"

Victor looked at Freya before answering.

"I never saw an order."

Her disappointment was visible.

"But," Victor continued, "three days before their accident, Adrian told me David would no longer be a problem by the end of the week."

The room became silent.

Victor had never known whether it was a threat, prediction, or coincidence.

Now, combined with the recording of Freya's parents being followed, it was enough to justify reopening questions everyone had buried years ago.

Freya left the lawyer's office with mixed emotions. Victor's statement brought them closer to the truth, but it also confirmed how many adults had known pieces of the danger while the original Freya grew up unaware. She couldn't change that childhood. She could, however, refuse to let the same culture of secrecy decide what happened next.