Single Dad Applied to Be the CEO’s Assistant — Then She Read His Resume
Chapter 9
Amelia confronted Ethan.
“Tell me.”
Ethan looked at her.
“My father died in an accident.”
“That’s what I was told.”
“It wasn’t that simple.”
“What happened?”
“He was meeting someone.”
“Who?”
“Thomas.”
“Then?”
“A car crash.”
“Was Thomas there?”
“No.”
“Were you?”
“I was twelve.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
Ethan closed his eyes.
“My father called me that night.”
Amelia waited.
“He said he was coming home.”
“He never did.”
“What happened after?”
“The police said it was an accident.”
“And you believed them?”
“At twelve, yes.”
Amelia looked hurt.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I didn’t know enough.”
“You knew enough to hide it.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
She took a step back.
“There it is again.”
“What?”
“Everyone says they are protecting me.”
She turned away.
“I don’t need another person deciding what truth I can handle.”
Ethan nodded.
“You’re right.”
She looked at him.
“Then tell me everything.”
So he did.
His father had discovered evidence linking Thomas to Atlas.
He planned to expose him.
The night of the crash, Daniel had received a call from someone inside the company.
That person warned him.
He never reached home.
After the crash, several files vanished.
The police closed the case.
Ethan’s father was declared dead.
But Ethan later discovered something strange.
A small payment had been made from Daniel’s private account after his supposed death.
A payment to someone overseas.
That meant someone had access to his accounts.
Or his father had survived longer than anyone knew.
Amelia stared.
“You think he might have been alive after the crash.”
“I don’t know.”
“Then where is he?”
“I’ve spent twenty years wondering.”
She sat down.
Ethan looked at her.
“I’m sorry.”
She nodded.
Then her phone rang.
Security.
They had found Martin.
He was at the old Sterling warehouse.
Ethan and Amelia went there.
Martin was sitting inside.
He looked exhausted.
“Why did you disappear?”
“Because they’re coming.”
“Who?”
“Thomas.”
Ethan stepped forward.
“You worked for him.”
Martin nodded.
“For years.”
“Why?”
“Because he had leverage.”
“What kind?”
“My son.”
Ethan stopped.
“What happened?”
“He threatened to destroy my family.”
“Did you help him?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“Everything.”
Martin handed Ethan a drive.
“Except this.”
Ethan opened it.
Records.
Transfers.
Contracts.
Secret accounts.
Thomas’s network.
Amelia stared.
“Why give it to us now?”
Martin looked at her.
“Because he wants you dead.”
Silence.
“Why?”
“Because you control the only trust he can’t touch.”
Amelia frowned.
“What trust?”
Martin looked at Ethan.
“Your father left it with you.”
Ethan froze.
“With me?”
Martin nodded.
“Daniel knew he was dying.”
“He transferred the controlling rights to you.”
Ethan stared.
“Why?”
“Because Thomas believed the trust died with Daniel.”
Amelia looked at him.
“You’ve been the controlling beneficiary all along.”
Ethan shook his head.
“I didn’t know.”
Martin smiled sadly.
“Neither did Thomas.”
Then the warehouse lights went out.
A door slammed.
Martin shouted:
“RUN!”
Gunshots echoed.
Ethan grabbed Amelia.
They ran toward the back exit.
But before they reached it, a voice came over the speakers.
“Ethan.”
He stopped.
The voice continued:
“Your father left you more than protection.”
“It left you control.”
Ethan looked at Amelia.
“Who’s that?”
He whispered:
“Thomas.”
