A Young Woman Bought 40 Broken Trucks for $3,000 — They Laughed Until She Built an Empire
Chapter 10
Ava confronted her mother.
She expected anger.
Instead, she found fear.
Her mother finally explained.
Years earlier, Ava’s father had discovered that the transportation consortium planned to force small businesses out of the market.
He wanted to expose them.
But one of his closest partners betrayed him.
That partner was Mason’s father.
Ava stared.
“He betrayed Dad?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did Mason help me?”
“Maybe he didn’t know.”
“Maybe?”
Her mother looked away.
“There were always rumors.”
“About what?”
“That Mason’s father had another child.”
Ava frowned.
“Who?”
Her mother whispered:
“Elias Hart.”
Ava froze.
Elias Hart.
The mastermind.
Mason’s half-brother.
Everything suddenly looked different.
If true, Mason’s family wasn’t simply connected.
It was at the center.
Ava called Mason.
“Where are you?”
“At headquarters.”
“I need to talk.”
“Okay.”
When she arrived, he was waiting.
She placed the documents on his desk.
“Is Elias Hart your brother?”
Mason stared.
Then sat down.
“Yes.”
Ava’s heart sank.
“You knew?”
“I found out two years ago.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I wanted proof.”
“And your father?”
“He knew.”
“Did he betray mine?”
Mason shook his head.
“No.”
“Then what?”
“He infiltrated the consortium to destroy it.”
Ava stared.
“My mother says he betrayed Dad.”
“My father made mistakes.”
“What mistakes?”
“He trusted the wrong people.”
Mason showed her another file.
His father had secretly transferred money into Ava’s father’s company.
He had helped him buy equipment.
Funded investigations.
And created a hidden trust to compensate victims if the scheme collapsed.
But Elias discovered it.
He forced Mason’s father out.
Then had him killed.
Ava felt ashamed.
“I thought…”
“I know.”
“I shouldn’t have doubted you.”
“You had every reason.”
They sat in silence.
Then Mason said:
“There is one more thing.”
“What?”
“My father believed your forty trucks contained the original evidence.”
Ava laughed softly.
“So I’ve been carrying a conspiracy around for three years.”
“Yes.”
“That’s almost funny.”
“Almost.”
She looked at him.
“Are you angry?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because you asked.”
He smiled.
“You should always ask.”
She nodded.
Then he reached for her hand.
Ava didn’t move.
“I don’t want you to leave.”
She looked at him.
“I don’t either.”
Their eyes met.
He leaned closer.
Then stopped.
“Is this okay?”
She smiled.
“Yes.”
They kissed.
It was quiet.
Simple.
And nothing like the chaos surrounding them.
Then the lights went out.
Security alarms sounded.
Mason stood.
“Stay behind me.”
Someone had entered the building.
Footsteps echoed.
A man shouted:
“Where’s the drive?”
Mason whispered:
“Elias.”
Ava shook her head.
“No.”
She looked toward the lobby.
“He wants us to think that.”
“What?”
She pointed.
A shadow moved near the door.
“It’s Victor.”
The man who had tried to buy her company.
The man who had been working for Elias all along.
Mason drew a weapon.
Victor laughed.
“You should have sold.”
Ava stepped forward.
“No.”
Victor smiled.
“Then I’m taking it.”
