Chapter 14: The Hidden Enemy

For several weeks, life at the Foster estate remained peaceful.

Elliot had returned to work almost full-time.

Avery continued helping with the family foundation while quietly developing plans for her own bookstore.

Their marriage had settled into something neither of them had expected.

Comfortable.

Warm.

Real.

But Elliot had never forgotten the warning that there were still people connected to his accident.

The investigation had exposed Richard Hale.

It had exposed the corruption surrounding Tate Holdings.

Yet one question remained unanswered.

Who had helped Richard gain access to Elliot's private information before the accident?

One evening, Marcus entered Elliot's office looking unusually serious.

"Sir, we found another encrypted file."

"Where?"

"Inside an old server that was scheduled to be destroyed after the accident."

Elliot stood immediately.

"Open it."

"We're trying."

Avery, who had been sitting nearby reading, looked up.

"Is it related to Richard?"

"Possibly."

Marcus connected the drive to the computer.

After several minutes, the screen finally displayed a series of documents.

"There," Marcus said.

The first file contained a list of meetings.

The second contained bank transfers.

The third contained photographs.

Avery leaned closer.

Her expression changed.

"That's..."

Elliot looked at the screen.

The photograph showed a private dinner between Richard Hale and a senior member of the Foster board.

But the man's identity was far more shocking than his position.

It was Elliot's uncle, Victor Foster.

Avery stared in disbelief.

"Your uncle?"

Elliot's face became unreadable.

"Yes."

Marcus continued opening files.

There were records of private payments from Richard to Victor.

There were copies of internal Foster documents.

And there was a schedule showing Elliot's movements during the week of his accident.

Avery's voice became quiet.

"He gave Richard your schedule."

"It looks that way."

Elliot's jaw tightened.

"Bring Victor here."

"Sir, should I call security?"

"No."

"Not yet."

"I want to hear what he has to say."

An hour later, Victor Foster entered the study.

He appeared calm.

Almost too calm.

"You wanted to see me?"

Elliot placed the documents on the desk.

"Explain these."

Victor glanced down.

For the first time, his confidence disappeared.

"Where did you get them?"

"That isn't an answer."

Victor slowly sat down.

"I can explain."

"Then explain."

"Richard approached me months before the accident."

"He said he wanted to restructure certain parts of the company."

"You gave him access."

"Yes."

Avery stared at him.

"Why?"

"Because I believed Elliot was going to destroy the company."

Elliot's eyes narrowed.

"You believed that?"

"You were taking risks."

"You were investing heavily without consulting the board."

"I thought I was protecting the family."

Elliot stood.

"By giving a criminal access to my movements?"

"I didn't know he planned to kill you."

"But you knew he was sabotaging my company."

"Yes."

"And you said nothing."

Victor lowered his head.

"I was afraid."

"Of Richard?"

"Of losing everything."

Silence filled the room.

Avery looked at Victor carefully.

There was guilt in his expression.

But guilt didn't erase what he had done.

"Did you know about my father's company?" she asked.

Victor hesitated.

"Yes."

Her face went pale.

"You knew?"

"Richard told me he planned to use the Tate company to hide several transactions."

"And you allowed it?"

"I didn't realize how far he would go."

Avery shook her head slowly.

"Everyone keeps saying they didn't realize."

"Yet my father lost everything."

"I was forced into a marriage because of it."

"And Elliot nearly died."

Victor closed his eyes.

"I know."

"I'm sorry."

Elliot turned toward Marcus.

"Call the authorities."

Victor immediately looked up.

"Elliot, please."

"I didn't arrange your accident."

"Maybe not."

"But you helped create the conditions for it."

"There will be consequences."

Victor nodded slowly.

He knew arguing would change nothing.

After security escorted him away, Avery remained silent.

Elliot walked toward her.

"Are you alright?"

"I don't know."

"It feels like every time I think the past is over, another piece appears."

Elliot gently took her hand.

"Then we'll face every piece together."

Avery looked at him.

"You really mean that?"

"Always."

Later that night...

Avery stood alone on the balcony.

Elliot joined her.

"You should rest."

"I know."

"I'm just thinking."

"About Victor?"

"About everything."

She turned toward him.

"Do you ever regret waking up?"

Elliot looked surprised.

"No."

"Not even once?"

"Never."

"Why?"

He stepped closer.

"Because if I hadn't woken up..."

"I never would've met you."

Avery smiled softly.

"Then I'm glad you opened your eyes."

Elliot touched her cheek.

"So am I."

Just as they leaned closer, Elliot's phone rang.

He answered immediately.

"Marcus?"

Marcus's voice sounded tense.

"Sir, we have a problem."

"What happened?"

"Victor wasn't the final person with access to the old system."

"Someone else had administrator privileges."

Elliot's expression hardened.

"Who?"

A long pause followed.

"We don't have a name."

"But whoever it was..."

"They accessed your medical records yesterday."

Elliot's eyes darkened.

Someone had been watching his recovery.

And now they were watching Avery too.

"Increase security around the estate," he ordered.

"Tonight."

"Yes, sir."

The call ended.

Avery looked at him.

"Another enemy?"

"Maybe."

Elliot wrapped an arm around her.

"But this time..."

"They won't get near you."

Across the city, inside a dark office...

An unknown person looked at a photograph of Elliot and Avery together.

A slow smile appeared.

"So they've found Victor."

"That changes nothing."

The photograph was placed facedown.

"Let them think the danger is over."

"The real game hasn't even started."