Chapter 8 

Gideon explained everything.

The bankruptcy had been staged.

Every asset had been deliberately transferred away.

Every account had been emptied.

Every contract had been destroyed.

He had made himself look guilty so the Ministry would believe the evidence was gone.

“But why didn’t you tell us?”

Clara demanded.

“Because they were watching your mother.”

“She nearly died!”

“I know.”

His voice broke.

“I had no choice.”

Julian stepped forward.

“You saved me.”

Gideon looked at him.

“Your father saved me first.”

Julian stared.

“What?”

Gideon revealed a hidden document.

Years ago, General Cross had discovered the corruption.

He had planned to expose General Vale.

But before he could, he was poisoned.

Gideon had taken the evidence.

Then he discovered something even worse.

Foreign agents were preparing to trigger a war between two nations.

Vale was helping them.

The army would be blamed.

And Julian was supposed to become the scapegoat.

Clara stared at her father.

“Why me?”

Gideon hesitated.

“Because you inherited something.”

“What?”

“A letter.”

“What letter?”

“The original confession from General Cross.”

Julian’s face changed.

“Where is it?”

Gideon looked at Clara.

“Your mother has it.”

Clara froze.

“My mother?”

Gideon nodded.

“I gave it to her before I disappeared.”

Julian looked toward the horizon.

“We have to go back.”

Gideon shook his head.

“It’s too late.”

A distant explosion shook the fortress.

Then another.

War had begun.