Chapter 5 — The Phone Call
Emily sat alone in her apartment that night.
The photograph remained open on her laptop.
She stared at it for nearly an hour.
The woman in the photograph was younger.
Much younger.
But the eyes were unmistakable.
The same eyes Linda had.
Emily searched the company name.
The results were overwhelming.
Morgan Holdings.
A multinational investment company.
Real estate.
Technology.
Healthcare.
Private equity.
Hundreds of subsidiaries.
Billions in assets.
Emily scrolled through article after article.
One headline caught her attention.
"Morgan Holdings Founder Steps Away From Public Life."
She opened it.
The article explained that the founder had withdrawn from the public spotlight more than twenty years ago.
No explanation had ever been given.
Emily's heart raced.
She searched the founder's name.
Linda Morgan.
Her mother.
Emily leaned back.
"No..."
She refused to believe it.
She called Linda.
No answer.
She called again.
Still nothing.
Finally, she sent a message.
"Mom, we need to talk."
No response.
The next morning, Emily went to the company headquarters.
The building was enormous.
Glass walls.
Private security.
Luxury cars entering an underground garage.
She walked toward the reception desk.
"I'm Emily Morgan."
The receptionist immediately looked at her.
Something changed in the woman's expression.
"Please wait."
Emily frowned.
The receptionist made a phone call.
Then she returned.
"I'm sorry. We can't allow you upstairs."
"I'm here to see the CEO."
"There is no appointment."
"I'm her daughter."
The receptionist became silent.
Emily lowered her voice.
"My mother is Linda Morgan."
The receptionist looked nervous.
"Ms. Morgan has given strict instructions regarding your access."
Emily's stomach tightened.
"What instructions?"
The woman hesitated.
"You're not permitted to enter the executive floors."
Emily stepped back.
"But why?"
The receptionist looked toward security.
Then whispered:
"Because she said you were not ready to know the truth."
Emily froze.
"What truth?"
The receptionist said nothing.
But before Emily left, an elevator opened behind the reception desk.
An elderly man stepped out.
He looked directly at Emily.
His face changed instantly.
"You..."
Emily stared at him.
The man whispered:
"You're Linda's daughter."
Emily nodded.
May you like
He looked terrified.
Then he said something that made her blood run cold.
