The Hidden Legacy and the Corporate Empire Built on a Foundation of Lies
I stood there for a long time, watching the empty street.
The quiet of the night was broken by the sharp, metallic sound of my phone buzzing on the workbench.
I walked over and picked it up.
It wasn’t a text from Jonathan.
The screen showed an unknown number, and a single image attachment began to download.
The progress bar slid to the right.
My thumb hovered over the glass screen, trembling.
The image resolved into sharp, terrifying focus.
It was a photograph of Liam and Chloe.
They were standing on the sidewalk outside their kindergarten, holding their small blue backpacks.
The photo had been taken from the interior of a vehicle across the street, framing them through a partially rolled-down window.
Beneath the image, a line of text appeared from the unknown sender.
*They have their father’s eyes.*
My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird.
I ran to the front door and checked the deadbolt, throwing my weight against the solid wood to make sure it was secure.
I hurried down the short hallway to the twins’ bedroom.