Chapter 7: The Enemy Within
The security alarm continued screaming through the house.
Red emergency lights flashed across the walls.
I stood frozen.
Someone had entered my father’s most protected room using my access code.
But I had never even known such a code existed.
My father immediately surrounded me with guards.
“Emma, stay behind me.””
I looked at him.
“Who has access to my identity?””
Nobody answered.
That silence terrified me.
A guard returned from the security room.
“Mr. Carter, we found the intruder.””
My father stepped forward.
“Where?””
The guard hesitated.
“They’re not an intruder.””
Everyone looked confused.
“What do you mean?””
The guard lowered his voice.
“They work here.””
My stomach dropped.
Someone inside my father’s organization had betrayed him.
We moved toward the security room.
The door was open.
Inside, one of the security employees sat in a chair.
His name was Marcus.
He had worked for my father for almost twenty years.
I remembered him from childhood.
He used to bring me candy when I visited the office.
My father stared at him.
“Marcus.””
The man looked ashamed.
“I’m sorry.””
My father’s voice became cold.
“How long?””
Marcus closed his eyes.
“Six years.””
Nobody spoke.
Six years.
My father’s own employee had been feeding information to someone.
“Who?””
Marcus looked at me.
And I immediately knew.
The answer was connected to me.
“Richard Whitmore.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“My father?””
Marcus nodded.
“He threatened my family.””
My father laughed quietly.
“You expect me to believe that?””
Marcus looked broken.
“He knew about Elizabeth’s files. He knew Emma existed. He knew she was the heir.””
I felt dizzy.
“How?””
Marcus looked at me.
“Because your mother trusted the wrong person.””
My father’s face hardened.
“Explain.””
Marcus looked down.
“Before Elizabeth disappeared, she gave the original evidence to someone she trusted.””
“Who?””
Marcus swallowed.
“Richard.””
The room went silent.
Daniel whispered:
“My father had the evidence?””
“Yes.””
Marcus continued.
“He used it to control everyone. He destroyed records. He changed ownership documents.””
My father grabbed the edge of the table.
“Why didn’t Elizabeth tell me?””
Marcus looked at him sadly.
“Because she thought you were the one person Richard couldn’t manipulate.””
That hurt my father.
I saw it.
For years, he had carried guilt.
And now he was realizing my mother had trusted him.
Marcus continued.
“Richard never wanted Emma dead.””
I frowned.
“Then what did he want?””
Marcus looked directly at me.
“Control.””
A chill ran through me.
“He wanted you to marry Daniel.””
The room became silent.
Daniel looked horrified.
“What?””
Marcus nodded.
“The marriage was planned.””
I stared at Daniel.
“No.””
Daniel looked at me.
“Emma, I swear I didn’t know.””
But my heart was already breaking.
Marcus continued.
“Richard believed if Emma married into the family, he could legally control her inheritance.””
My hands trembled.
“So my entire marriage…”
I couldn’t finish.
Daniel looked devastated.
“No.””
I stepped away.
“You loved me?””
“Yes.””
“Did your family choose me?””
He didn’t answer.
That was enough.
The pain returned.
Not because I doubted Daniel’s feelings.
Because I didn’t know where the truth ended anymore.
My father looked at Marcus.
“Where is Richard now?””
Marcus hesitated.
“He knows we found the files.””
“When?””
“Tonight.””
My father immediately turned.
“What else did he take?””
Marcus looked terrified.
“The original birth documents.””
My blood went cold.
“Why?””
Marcus looked at me.
“Because without those documents, he can challenge your claim to the inheritance.””
My father grabbed his phone.
Then it rang.
Everyone froze.
The screen showed:
*Richard Whitmore.*
My father answered.
“Richard.””
A calm voice came through.
“Alexander.””
Everyone listened.
Richard sounded relaxed.
Almost happy.
“You finally figured it out.””
My father’s eyes narrowed.
“You attacked my daughter.””
Richard laughed.
“No.””
A pause.
“I saved her.””
My hands clenched.
“You destroyed my life.””
Richard continued calmly.
“Emma, you still don’t understand.””
I stepped closer to the phone.
“Understand what?””
His voice became softer.
“You think your father protected you.””
A pause.
“But he never told you the truth about your birth.””
I looked at my father.
Richard continued.
“Ask him why Elizabeth never told you who your real father was.””
The call ended.
Nobody moved.
Because the question was hanging in the air.
May you like
Who was my real father?
And why did Alexander Carter look like he already knew the answer?