The next morning, Daniel sat alone in his small office. The city outside was already awake, but he had barely slept.Lily was safe. That was the only thing that mattered. She had spent the night at a friend's house under protection. Daniel had refused to let her return home until he was certain the people who kidnapped her could not reach her again.But Daniel knew something had changed. The people attacking him were no longer hiding. They had taken Lily because they wanted to send a message. And Daniel had received it.He looked at the photograph he had found in the warehouse. The man standing behind him outside the courthouse seven years ago. Daniel had stared at that face for hours. Something about him felt familiar. But no matter how hard he tried, he could not remember where he had seen him.He put the photograph inside a folder. There were more important things to deal with. His business. His family. And the people who believed they could destroy him.Daniel picked up his phone

Daniel arrived at Carter Holdings before everyone else. The message from the previous night was still on his mind.Your first real business war begins tomorrow.He had expected an attack. What he did not expect was how quickly it would come.At seven in the morning, Samuel walked into his office with a worried expression. "Daniel, we have a problem."Daniel looked up from his computer. "What kind?""Two of our new clients have received offers from another company.""Which company?"Samuel hesitated. "Northbridge Holdings."Daniel leaned back. "Are they trying to buy the contracts?""Yes.""How much are they offering?""Almost twenty percent more than what we offered."Daniel smiled. "That isn't a business offer."Samuel frowned. "What is it?""A warning." Daniel stood. "They want our clients to leave because they want to see whether we can survive without them."Adrian walked into the office. "They are also calling our suppliers."Daniel nodded. "I expected that."Adrian looked at him

Daniel did not sleep that night. The photograph lay on the table in front of him. He had studied it so many times that he could almost remember every detail. The younger version of himself. Anna beside him. The black car in the background. And the man standing beside it.But the hardest part was the message.If Daniel remembers the night, everything will come out.What night? Why couldn't he remember it? And why were people suddenly appearing from his past?Daniel picked up his phone and called Samuel. "It's me."Samuel answered immediately. "Daniel? Is everything okay?""No. I need you to do something.""What?""I want every available record concerning Carter Industries from seven years ago."Samuel was quiet. "Everything?""Everything.""Financial records?""Yes.""Employees?""Yes.""Old contracts?""Yes.""Police reports?"Daniel paused. "Especially anything connected to my case."Samuel understood the seriousness in his voice. "I'll start immediately.""Don't tell anyone.""I won

Daniel kept staring at the photograph on his phone. Lily was alive. That was the only thing that mattered.For a few seconds, the warehouse disappeared from his mind. The men outside, the gunshots, Marcus, the old photograph—everything became distant. His sister was in danger. And whoever had taken her wanted him to panic. Daniel refused to give them that satisfaction."Samuel.""Yes?""Get everyone out."Samuel looked at him. "What about you?""I'll handle this."Marcus immediately stepped forward. "You can't go after them alone."Daniel looked at him. "I didn't say I was going alone."Marcus frowned.Daniel pointed toward the old warehouse windows. "Those men outside want us to believe they're in control." He looked at the photograph again. "They're not."Anna stared at him. "What are you planning?"Daniel turned toward her. "A counterattack."Ten minutes later, Carter Holdings' security team arrived. Daniel had called them before leaving the warehouse. The moment they entered the a

Daniel drove through the night without saying a word. The photograph from the old Carter Industries building lay on the passenger seat. His family. His father. His mother. Edward Carter. And himself as a child.He kept looking at the date written on the back. The night he was born. There was something about that photograph that bothered him. Why had someone kept it hidden for so many years? And why had the people behind his imprisonment suddenly started showing it to him?Samuel sat beside him. "Daniel.""Yes?""Are you sure about going to the old family house?"Daniel kept his eyes on the road. "No."Samuel looked at him. "No?""I've learned something.""What?""When people want you to go somewhere, there is usually a reason.""Then why are we going?"Daniel looked at the road ahead. "Because sometimes the only way to find the truth is to walk into the trap."Samuel sighed. "I was afraid you would say that."Daniel almost smiled. Then his expression became serious again. "Call the se