The Hidden Heir's Revenge

CHAPTER SEVEN: THE INVESTIGATION

Alex returned to the Davis mansion just after noon. The house was quiet, most of the family out on their usual routines. He found Nora in the garden, sitting on a bench beneath an old oak tree.

"May I join you?" he asked.

She looked up, startled. "Of course."

He sat beside her, maintaining a respectful distance. The flowers around them were in full bloom, carefully tended by the groundskeeper Thomas employed.

"Thank you," Nora said quietly. "For whatever you did with Parker."

"I told you I would handle it."

"But how? Alex, I've been thinking about this all morning. You don't have connections at Hartwell Industries. You don't have money for lawyers. So how did you make this happen?"

Alex considered his answer carefully. "Sometimes it's not about what you have. It's about what you know and who you talk to."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one I can give right now."

Nora turned to face him fully. "Are you in trouble? Did you do something illegal?"

"No. Nothing illegal. I promise."

"Then why won't you tell me?"

"Because you wouldn't believe me if I did."

She studied his face for a long moment. "Try me."

Alex wanted to tell her everything. About who he really was, about the empire he'd built, about the three years he had spent pretending to be someone else. But the words caught in his throat.

"Not yet," he said instead. "Give me the two weeks we agreed on. Then I'll tell you everything."

"Why wait?"

"Because actions speak louder than words. I could tell you anything right now and you would have no reason to believe me. But if I show you what I'm capable of, if I prove myself through my actions, then maybe you'll listen."

Nora looked away. "My grandfather is investigating you. He's calling everyone he knows at Hartwell Industries, trying to figure out how Parker's lawsuit disappeared."

"Let him investigate."

"He thinks you're lying. Taking credit for someone else's work."

"What do you think?"

She was quiet for a long time. When she finally spoke, her voice was uncertain. "I don't know what to think anymore. Three years ago, I thought I knew you. Now I feel like I'm looking at a stranger."

"I'm still the same person you married."

"Are you? Because the Alex I married wouldn't have been able to make a lawsuit from the Parker family disappear overnight. The Alex I married couldn't even keep a job."

Her words stung me even though Alex knew they weren't meant cruelly. They were simply the truth as she saw it.

"People change," he said. "Sometimes circumstances force them to."

"What circumstances forced you?"

"Marrying into a family that hates me. Watching you grow more distant every day. Knowing that no matter what I did, it would never be enough for them." He paused. "Or for you."

Nora flinched. "That's not fair."

"Isn't it? When was the last time you defended me to your family? When was the last time you told your grandfather to stop treating me like garbage?"

"I've tried—"

"You've been silent. You sit there at dinner while they insult me, while they mock me, while they talk about me like I'm not even there. And you say nothing."

"Because what am I supposed to say?" Nora's voice rose. "How am I supposed to defend you when you won't even defend yourself? When you just take it, year after year, never fighting back, never standing up for yourself?"

"I stood up for you yesterday. At the hospital."

"One time in three years, Alex. One time."

They sat in tense silence. A bird landed nearby, pecked at the ground, then flew away.

"I loved you," Nora said finally. "When we got married, I loved you so much it scared me. I was willing to give up everything for you."

"And you did give up everything."

"Yes. My family, my friends, my trust fund. Everything." She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "And what did I get in return? A husband who couldn't hold a job. Who couldn't pay our bills. Who let my family walk all over him without ever fighting back."

"So this is my fault? Your family's cruelty is my fault?"

"No. But your response to it is. You could have fought. You could have proven them wrong. Instead, you just... gave up."

Alex felt anger rising in his chest. He wanted to shout that he hadn't given up, that every day of the past three years had been a battle. That pretending to be weak when he was actually strong had been the hardest thing he had ever done.

But he swallowed the words. Not yet. Not until the time was right.

"You're right," he said quietly. "I should have fought harder. I should have stood up for myself. For us."

Nora wiped her eyes. "It's too late now."

"Is it? We have twelve days left. Let me use them to show you who I really am."

"I already know who you are."

"No. You know who I've been pretending to be. There's a difference."

Before Nora could respond, Catherine's voice called from the house.

"Nora! Your grandfather wants to see you in his study!"

Nora stood. "I should go."

"Nora, wait." Alex stood too. "Whatever he tells you about the Parker situation, whatever he claims to have discovered, just remember one thing."

"What?"

"Actions matter more than words. I resolved that lawsuit. However I did it, whatever connections I used, I protected you when no one else would. That's real. Everything else is just noise."

She looked at him for a long moment, then walked toward the house without answering.

Alex remained in the garden, his phone buzzing in his pocket. A text from Vincent.

“Thomas Davis just spoke with Gerald Parker. Parker confirmed the termination order came from "the highest levels" but refused to name names. Thomas is furious and confused.”

Alex smiled. Good. Let the old man stew in uncertainty.

Another text followed.

“Also, we've identified the creditors holding Davis's debt. Seven different institutions, totaling one hundred ninety-three million. I can begin acquisition proceedings immediately if you approve.”

Alex typed back. “Approved. Please make move quickly but quietly. I want this done before Thomas realizes what's happening.”

“Understood. One more thing—Jonathan Blackwood called Thomas this morning. They're meeting for lunch tomorrow.”

Alex's jaw tightened. Blackwood. The man Thomas had wanted to sell Nora to like a piece of property.

“Find out everything about that meeting. Where, when, what they discuss. I want details.”

“Already arranging surveillance. You'll have a full report by evening.

Alex pocketed his phone and headed inside. He passed the study where Thomas's raised voice carried through the door.

"I don't care what Parker says! Someone made this happen and I want to know who!"

Derek's voice, calmer. "Maybe we should just be grateful the problem is solved."

"Grateful? That useless husband of Nora's is suddenly solving problems that required connections at the highest levels of Hartwell Industries? Something is wrong here."

Alex continued up the stairs to his room. Let Thomas investigate. Let him call every contact, chase every lead, exhaust every possibility. He would find nothing because Vincent had covered their tracks perfectly.

In his small bedroom, Alex changed into workout clothes. The Davis mansion had a gym in the basement that no one used. He had spent countless hours there over the past three years, maintaining his strength, burning off frustration.

He was on his third set of weights when Derek appeared in the doorway.

"Grandfather wants to see you."

"Tell him I'll be up when I'm finished."

"He said now."

Alex set down the weights and grabbed a towel. "Of course he did."

He followed Derek upstairs. Thomas sat behind his desk, papers spread before him. Richard and Catherine flanked him like guards.

"Sit," Thomas commanded.

Alex remained standing. "I'm fine here."

"I said sit."

"And I said I'm fine."

Thomas's face reddened. "You will show me respect in my house!"

"This isn't your house. It belongs to Richard and Catherine. And respect is earned, not commanded."

The room went silent. Alex could see the shock on their faces. He had never spoken to Thomas like this before.

"How dare you—"

"How dare I what? Tell the truth? You've spent three years treating me like garbage. You don't get to demand respect after that."

Thomas stood slowly. "Get out. Get out of this house right now."

"No."

"What did you say?"

"I said no. I have twelve days left on my agreement with Nora. I'm not leaving until that time is up or she tells me to go."

"I'm telling you to go!"

"You're not my wife. Your opinion doesn't matter."

Thomas looked like he might have a stroke. Catherine stepped forward.

"Alex, please. You're making this worse."

"Worse? I solved Nora's problem. I protected her when none of you would. And instead of gratitude, I get accusations and investigations."

"Because we don't believe you!" Thomas shouted.

"Investigate all you want. You won't find anything except the

truth—that I'm more capable than you ever gave me credit for."

Alex left the study. Behind him, Thomas was still shouting.

Eleven days left.

Then everyone would see who Alex Munroe really was.