I Decided to Surprise My Wife at the Airport Pickup — Then She Walked Out Holding Another Man’s Hand
Chapter 5
Ethan didn’t sleep.
He sat in the motel room while Olivia and Nathan worked through documents.
Around 3 a.m., he finally asked:
“Why me?”
Nathan looked at him.
“Because your name was used to open the first shell company.”
“I didn’t do it.”
“I know.”
“Then why hasn’t anyone arrested me?”
“Because the person behind this wants you alive.”
Ethan felt uneasy.
“Why?”
Nathan hesitated.
“Because you’re useful.”
“To what?”
Nathan showed him a series of bank transfers.
Each one had been routed through companies connected to Ethan’s identity.
“But the money never went into your accounts.”
“Where did it go?”
Nathan pointed to the final destination.
A private investment fund.
Its owner was a man named Victor Lang.
Ethan recognized the name.
Victor Lang was one of the most influential businessmen in Texas.
He had donated millions to charities.
He appeared on television.
He had even sponsored Ethan’s company several years earlier.
Ethan looked at Olivia.
“You knew him?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“He recruited me into his company.”
Nathan interrupted.
“That’s where Marcus discovered the truth.”
Ethan looked at him.
“What truth?”
Nathan opened a file.
Inside were photographs.
Victor Lang meeting government officials.
Victor Lang meeting executives.
Victor Lang meeting a federal judge.
Then Ethan saw something that made his blood run cold.
Victor standing beside Ethan’s father.
His father had died eight years earlier.
Ethan stared at the photograph.
“What is this?”
Nathan said nothing.
“My father knew him?”
Olivia nodded.
“He did.”
Ethan felt dizzy.
“My father told me he never met Victor.”
“He lied.”
“Why?”
Nathan looked at him.
“Because your father helped build the network.”
Silence.
Ethan stood.
“No.”
Nathan continued.
“Your father wasn’t the mastermind.”
“Then what was he?”
“A financial architect.”
Ethan felt his entire childhood collapse.
Everything he believed about his family was suddenly uncertain.
Then Olivia whispered:
“Your father wasn’t the only person involved.”
Ethan turned.
“Who else?”
Olivia looked at him.
“Your mother.”
