The CEO’s Jet Broke Down Again — Her Assistant Whispered, “I Think She Just Wants the Mechanic Back”
Chapter 10
They returned to Sterling headquarters before sunrise.
Lily had already pulled the original contract.
Ava read it twice.
The signature was authentic.
Her father’s handwriting was unmistakable.
“He signed this.”
Mason examined the document.
“Look at the date.”
Ava did.
It was dated three weeks before his supposed death.
Lily whispered,
“So your father really was involved.”
Ava’s face tightened.
“Maybe.”
Mason shook his head.
“Not enough.”
They checked the payment records.
Then the delivery receipts.
Then the maintenance logs.
Finally, Mason found something.
“The parts never arrived.”
Ava frowned.
“Then why sign the contract?”
He looked at her.
“Your father may have signed it to create a paper trail.”
“To expose someone?”
“Yes.”
Mason opened the encrypted file again.
Hidden inside was a scanned letter.
Ava’s father had written it two days before his death.
Victor, if they force the final transfer, use the jet records. Mason will see the pattern. Ava will understand the money. Together, they can finish what I started.
Ava stared.
“He planned for us to do this together.”
Mason nodded.
The letter continued.
Don’t tell Ava until Mason returns. She trusts her heart before evidence.
Ava looked offended.
“He really knew me.”
Mason smiled.
“He did.”
Then Lily noticed something else.
“There are three board members receiving monthly payments.”
She listed their names.
James Porter.
Helen Grant.
And Richard Vale.
Ava’s stomach dropped.
Richard Vale had served as chairman for fourteen years.
He had been the one person she trusted when she became CEO.
Mason noticed her reaction.
“You know him well.”
“He practically raised me after my father died.”
“That may be why he knew exactly what to do.”
They confronted Richard that afternoon.
He listened quietly as Ava presented the evidence.
Then he smiled.
“I wondered how long it would take.”
Ava froze.
“You admit it?”
“I admit nothing.”
Mason stepped forward.
“Then why aren’t you surprised?”
Richard’s smile disappeared.
“Because your father wasn’t as clever as you think.”
Ava’s voice hardened.
“What did you do?”
Richard looked at her.
“I gave him a choice.”
“What choice?”
“Sell the company or watch his daughter disappear.”
Ava went cold.
Mason stepped between them.
Richard continued.
“He chose you.”
Ava’s voice broke.
“You’re lying.”
“No.”
Richard leaned forward.
“Your father staged his own death because we were watching.”
Mason stared.
“Then where is he?”
Richard smiled.
“That’s the problem.”
Ava’s breath stopped.
“He’s alive.”
Richard looked directly at her.
“And he wants to know whether you’re ready to meet him.”
