Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO KILLED THE TRUTH
Thomas tried to leave.
Daniel blocked the doorway.
“Not so fast.”
Thomas looked at him.
“You don't understand what you're reading.”
“Then explain it.”
“It isn't what you think.”
Evelyn laughed.
“That's what every guilty man says.”
Thomas's face twisted.
“You think you know everything?”
“No.”
Evelyn looked at the red folder.
“But I know enough.”
Thomas turned to Daniel.
“Your father was going to destroy everything.”
Daniel stared.
“What does that mean?”
“He was reckless.”
“He was exposing fraud.”
“He was going to destroy thousands of jobs.”
“You stole his company!”
Thomas shouted.
The sound echoed through the archive.
Silence followed.
Daniel slowly turned.
“What did you say?”
Thomas realized his mistake.
Evelyn's eyes hardened.
“You finally said it.”
Thomas looked at her.
“You don't know what happened.”
“Then tell us.”
Thomas laughed bitterly.
“Your husband built an empire and thought he was untouchable. He trusted no one. He created secret accounts. He moved money without telling the board.”
Daniel looked at the documents.
“That isn't what these show.”
“Because your mother has only shown you what supports her story.”
Evelyn walked toward him.
“Then show him your evidence.”
Thomas said nothing.
Arthur finally spoke.
“Thomas.”
The warning was clear.
Thomas looked at him.
And something inside him broke.
“You promised me protection.”
Arthur's expression changed.
“You are speaking too much.”
Thomas laughed.
“I spent twenty-two years protecting you.”
Daniel looked between them.
“From what?”
Thomas looked at Daniel.
“From your father.”
“Why?”
“Because he knew.”
“Knew what?”
Thomas's eyes filled with something that looked almost like regret.
“That Arthur Ashford had arranged everything.”
The room went silent.
Victoria covered her mouth.
Arthur stood.
“Enough.”
Thomas continued.
“He arranged the accident.”
Daniel stared.
“What?”
“Your father was supposed to die.”
Evelyn closed her eyes.
She had known.
But hearing it said aloud was different.
Daniel took a step toward Thomas.
“You were there.”
Thomas nodded.
“I was there.”
“Did you kill him?”
Thomas looked down.
“No.”
“Did you help?”
Thomas didn't answer.
Daniel grabbed him by the collar.
Evelyn stepped forward.
“Daniel!”
He released him.
Thomas straightened his jacket.
“I didn't touch your father.”
“But you let it happen.”
Thomas looked at Evelyn.
“Yes.”
The admission shattered the room.
Daniel stood frozen.
“Why?”
Thomas looked at Arthur.
“Because he had my daughter.”
Victoria froze.
“What?”
Arthur's eyes narrowed.
Thomas continued.
“My wife had discovered the fraud. She threatened to go to the police. Arthur had her followed.”
Victoria whispered.
“What happened to her?”
Thomas looked at her.
“She died.”
Victoria took a step back.
“What?”
“They told me it was an overdose.”
Thomas laughed bitterly.
“But I knew better.”
Arthur slammed his cane against the floor.
“You ungrateful fool.”
Thomas turned toward him.
“You threatened my family.”
“And you betrayed your brother.”
Thomas's face collapsed.
“Yes.”
Daniel looked at him.
“You let my father die because you were afraid.”
Thomas nodded.
“I was a coward.”
Evelyn looked at the red folder.
“Where is the rest of the evidence?”
Thomas stared at her.
“You don't have it.”
“Where is it?”
Arthur suddenly pulled a gun from beneath his coat.
Everyone froze.
Evelyn looked at the weapon.
Daniel stepped in front of her.
Arthur smiled.
“Move.”
“No.”
“Daniel.”
Arthur's voice was calm.
“You have no idea what you are standing in the middle of.”
Daniel didn't move.
Victoria suddenly screamed.
“Grandfather!”
Arthur turned toward her.
That was enough.
Evelyn grabbed Daniel's arm and pulled him sideways.
A gunshot exploded through the archive.
The bullet struck the steel door.
Everyone screamed.
Thomas lunged at Arthur.
The weapon fell.
Daniel tackled Arthur to the floor.
For several seconds, there was only chaos.
Then the sound of sirens filled the distance.
Evelyn looked at Victoria.
“Who called the police?”
Victoria was shaking.
“I did.”
Evelyn stared at her.
Victoria looked at Daniel.
“I couldn't let him kill you.”
Daniel said nothing.
The police stormed into the basement.
Arthur Ashford was arrested.
Thomas was taken into custody for questioning.
And Victoria stood alone in the archive.
She looked at the woman she had humiliated the day before.
“I am sorry,” she whispered.
Evelyn looked at her.
“You should be.”
Victoria lowered her head.
“I know.”
But Evelyn knew one thing.
May you like
The truth had finally opened the door.
And behind it was a war.
