The Woman Who Knew Michael's Past
Ethan returned to the mansion.
He reviewed every security camera recording from the birthday party.
At first, nothing seemed unusual.
Then Claire paused the footage.
“There.”
A man stood near the staircase.
Only for three seconds.
His face was partially hidden.
But Ethan recognized the watch.
Daniel Cross.
“He was there,” Ethan whispered.
Claire zoomed in.
The man turned toward the camera.
His face became visible.
Ethan froze.
He knew him.
Not personally.
But from somewhere.
Then Claire identified him.
“Daniel Cross.”
Ethan's phone rang.
This time, it was a woman.
“Ethan Harrison?”
“Yes.”
“My name is Margaret.”
Ethan stopped breathing.
“Margaret who?”
“Your grandmother.”
He could barely speak.
“You're alive?”
“Yes.”
“Where are you?”
“I can't tell you.”
“Why?”
“Because Daniel Cross is trying to kill me.”
Ethan immediately asked,
“What did you do?”
Margaret was silent.
Then she said,
“I created Harrison Holdings.”
Ethan sat down.
She explained that Daniel Cross had once been her financial adviser.
He discovered the company was worth billions.
He wanted control.
Victor Hale became his partner.
Michael discovered the plan.
Together, Michael and Ethan's mother exposed them.
But Daniel escaped.
Margaret disappeared to protect the family.
Victor disappeared to protect Michael.
Everything Ethan had believed about his family was wrong.
Then Margaret said something even more shocking.
“Your father didn't cancel your $200 million investment because he was angry.”
“I know.”
“He canceled it because the money was being used to lure Daniel into the open.”
Ethan froze.
“What?”
“Your father knew Daniel would attack when the investment appeared vulnerable.”
The birthday party had been a trap.
The $200 million had been bait.
And Ethan...
had unknowingly been the target.
Margaret whispered,
“Your father has been protecting you all your life.”
Then the line went dead.
Ethan looked at Claire.
“Find her.”
Claire nodded.
May you like
But before they could move...
The mansion lights went out.
