Her Father Called Him a Killer. Seven Years Later, She Discovered He Went to Prison for Her.
CHAPTER 6
The mansion erupted into chaos.
Security guards flooded the halls.
Richard screamed orders.
Eleanor searched every room.
Adrian found the first clue.
A hidden passage behind the library.
They followed it beneath the mansion.
The tunnel led to an underground archive.
Rows of files covered the walls.
Bank records.
Photographs.
Contracts.
Names.
Eleanor stared.
“This is everything.”
Adrian nodded.
“Your father kept records.”
“Why?”
“Because powerful men always think they can control the evidence.”
They found Noah’s file.
His real birth certificate.
His medical records.
His school records.
Every document carried the same false identity.
Eleanor opened the final folder.
Inside was a photograph of Marcus.
And a document signed by Richard.
PAYMENT AUTHORIZATION — MARCUS HALE.
Eleanor’s hand trembled.
“He paid someone to kill Marcus.”
Adrian shook his head.
“No.”
He pointed to the date.
“This was before the fight.”
The payment wasn’t for Marcus’s death.
It was for surveillance.
Someone had been following Marcus.
Then they found another document.
A payment to a judge.
Another to a police investigator.
Another to the arena owner.
And finally, a payment to Adrian’s defense lawyer.
Eleanor covered her mouth.
“He bought the entire trial.”
Adrian stared at the documents.
“That’s why I never had a chance.”
A sound came from behind them.
Noah.
He had returned.
He was holding a gun.
Eleanor froze.
“Noah.”
He pointed it at Adrian.
“You lied to me.”
Adrian didn’t move.
“Who told you?”
“Richard.”
“What did he say?”
“That you killed my father.”
Adrian looked at him.
“I didn’t.”
“You were there.”
“Yes.”
“You were covered in his blood.”
“Yes.”
Noah’s hand shook.
“Then why should I believe you?”
Adrian slowly reached into his coat.
He removed the old photograph.
Marcus.
The baby.
The arena.
“I was the last person your father trusted.”
Noah stared.
“Why?”
Adrian’s voice broke.
“Because he knew I would never let them hurt you.”
Noah lowered the gun.
Eleanor walked toward him.
“You’re not alone anymore.”
A voice came from the doorway.
Richard.
“You always were.”
He raised his gun.
Adrian turned.
The shot rang out.
Adrian fell.
Eleanor screamed.
Richard disappeared into the tunnel.
She dropped beside Adrian.
Blood spread across his shirt.
“Adrian.”
His eyes opened.
“Not mine.”
He pointed behind her.
The bullet had struck the wall.
He had moved in time.
Eleanor laughed through tears.
“You nearly gave me a heart attack.”
“Sorry.”
Noah stared at the tunnel.
“My grandfather lied to me.”
Eleanor looked at him.
“Yes.”
“And my father?”
“He died trying to protect you.”
Noah’s eyes filled with tears.
For the first time, he whispered:
“I want to know who he was.”
Adrian nodded.
“Then we’ll tell you everything.”
