Chapter 8 — The Company Behind the Call
That evening, Emily returned home and waited for Linda.
She had questions.
Too many questions.
At nine thirty, Linda finally arrived.
She walked inside carrying groceries.
Emily stood in the kitchen.
"Tell me the truth."
Linda stopped.
"About what?"
"Everything."
Linda placed the groceries down.
Emily showed her the photograph.
"You founded Morgan Holdings."
Linda said nothing.
"You were worth billions."
Silence.
"You knew Robert Hale."
Still nothing.
"Someone tried to kill you."
Linda slowly looked up.
"Who told you that?"
"Daniel Price."
Linda's expression hardened.
"You shouldn't have spoken to him."
"Why?"
"Because he has been lying to you."
Emily stared.
"About what?"
Linda walked toward the window.
"Twenty-three years ago, I discovered someone was stealing from my company."
"Who?"
"I never found out."
"Then why did someone try to kill you?"
Linda closed her eyes.
"Because I got too close."
Emily swallowed.
"And my father?"
Linda's face changed.
That was the first time Emily had seen genuine fear.
"My father?"
Linda turned.
"Your father was involved."
Emily's voice trembled.
"Involved in what?"
Linda walked toward an old cabinet.
She opened it.
Inside was a small wooden box.
She removed it.
Emily watched.
Linda opened the box.
Inside was a photograph.
A man stood beside Linda.
He looked handsome.
Powerful.
Dangerous.
Emily recognized him.
She had seen his face before.
"That's my father?"
Linda nodded.
Emily picked up the photograph.
On the back was a handwritten date.
Twenty-three years ago.
And underneath it were five words:
"Trust no one in the company."
Emily looked at her mother.
May you like
"Who wrote this?"
Linda whispered:
