Chapter 12 — Emily Finds the Old Photograph
The woman in the photograph was Linda's former business partner, Rachel Morgan.
Rachel had supposedly died fifteen years ago.
But there she was.
Alive.
Emily stared at the image.
"Who is she?"
Linda didn't answer.
"Mom?"
Linda finally spoke.
"Your aunt."
Emily froze.
"I have an aunt?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"Because she betrayed me."
Linda explained everything.
Rachel had helped build Morgan Holdings.
But she became obsessed with power.
She secretly worked with Daniel.
Together, they diverted company money.
Linda discovered them.
Then her husband disappeared.
Rachel vanished soon afterward.
Emily looked at the photograph.
"So they're all alive?"
"Apparently."
"And my father?"
Linda nodded.
"I believe so."
Emily stood.
"We have to find him."
Linda grabbed her hand.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because that's what they want."
Emily stared.
"They want me?"
"They want the company."
"And you?"
Linda's voice became quiet.
"They want me to surrender."
Emily shook her head.
"I won't let them."
Linda looked at her daughter.
"You already made one mistake."
Emily lowered her eyes.
"The graduation."
"Yes."
"I was ashamed of you."
Linda said nothing.
"I'm sorry."
Linda looked away.
Emily continued.
"I thought you were poor."
"I wanted you to think that."
"Why?"
"Because I wanted you to know who you were without money."
Emily began crying.
"I treated you horribly."
Linda finally looked at her.
"Yes."
Emily flinched.
"But you're still my daughter."
They embraced.
For the first time in years, Emily felt the distance between them disappear.
Then Robert burst through the door.
"We found Rachel."
Linda turned.
"Where?"
Robert handed her a piece of paper.
"A private estate in Connecticut."
Emily looked at the address.
Then she saw the name registered to the property.
Her father's name.
Linda's face went pale.
"He isn't being held there."
Robert nodded.
May you like
"That's the problem."
"Why?"
