Sophia stood beside the window, watching the rain fall against the glass. She had barely slept. Her conversation with Ethan the previous night kept replaying in her mind. Do you still have feelings for her? And Ethan's answer... I don't know.She had expected him to deny it. She had wanted him to tell her that Emily meant nothing. Instead, he had given her the truth. And somehow, that hurt more.Her phone vibrated. It was her mother. "Sophia, where are you?""At home.""Are you coming to the office?""Yes. I'll be there soon."She ended the call and picked up her bag. She needed something to distract herself.At the Lawson company, Sophia tried to concentrate on work. But every few minutes, her thoughts returned to Ethan. She remembered how different he had become. The man her family once mocked was now earning respect. He had received a promotion. He had been invited to private business events. Powerful people were beginning to notice him.And now Emily had returned. Sophia didn't wa

The next morning, the Lawson family received terrible news. The company's largest client had suspended its contract.Mrs. Lawson stared at the email in disbelief. "They can't do this."Sophia stood beside her. "Why did they suspend it?""The client claims we've violated the agreement.""Have we?"Mrs. Lawson shook her head. "Not as far as I know."Sophia took the document. The accusation was serious. If the contract was terminated, the Lawson company could lose millions. And worse, several other clients might follow."We need to call the legal department.""I already did.""And?""They're investigating."Sophia frowned. Something about the timing felt wrong.Across the city, Ethan was dealing with his own problem. After the warehouse incident, he had barely slept. The men had disappeared before he could get answers. The photograph of his father was gone. Emily was still missing. And the mysterious voice had left him with more questions than answers.He arrived at the office early. Dav

The room remained silent. Ethan couldn't take his eyes off the photograph. His father stood beside a younger man he had never seen before. Yet something about the photograph bothered him. The young man's eyes. The shape of his face. There was something familiar about him."Who is he?" Ethan finally asked.The chairman shook his head. "I don't know."Ethan looked at him. "You recognize the photograph.""I recognize your father.""How?"The chairman hesitated. "Your father once worked with several influential businessmen."Ethan's expression changed. "You knew my father?""Not personally.""But you've seen him before.""Yes."Ethan stepped closer. "Why didn't you tell me?"The chairman remained quiet. "I didn't think it was relevant."Ethan laughed bitterly. "My father disappears, someone tries to frame me, and suddenly his photograph appears in a secret file." He shook his head. "How is that not relevant?"The chairman didn't answer.Nina continued examining the files. "There are hundr

The accusations spread faster than Ethan expected. By noon, every major business page was discussing the Lawson scandal. His name appeared in almost every report. Some called him a fraudster. Others claimed he had manipulated company records to make himself look like a hero.Ethan sat quietly in his office, reading the reports. None of them were true. But whoever created the story had done their homework. They had forged his signature. They had copied internal documents. They had even created a timeline that made him look guilty.David entered the room. "We've checked everything.""And?""The documents are fake."Ethan looked up. "Can you prove it?""Not yet.""Then we're not ready."David sat down. "There is something else.""What?""The Lawson family is distancing itself from you."Ethan wasn't surprised. "Of course.""Their lawyers released a statement saying the family wasn't aware of your activities."Ethan gave a bitter smile. "They're protecting themselves.""Shouldn't you conf

Ethan stared at the address. Ainsworth Cemetery. He read it again. Whoever had left the message wanted him there tonight. But Ethan had learned one thing during the past few weeks. Nothing connected to his father's disappearance was ever simple.He folded the paper and placed it in his pocket. Then his phone rang. It was David. "Where are you?""At my apartment.""Good. Stay there."Ethan frowned. "Why?""I've been checking the people connected to Alexander Holdings.""And?""Someone accessed your personal records this morning."Ethan's expression hardened. "How?""I don't know yet. But they searched your employment history, your marriage records, and your current address."Ethan looked around his apartment. "Are you saying someone knows where I live?""Yes."Ethan immediately stood. "Then this apartment isn't safe."An hour later, Ethan was packing his belongings. He didn't have much. A few clothes. His father's old belongings. His watch. The photograph. And the small pendant. He pla