Chapter 7 - The Hidden Enemy
Charles was furious.
Not the loud kind of anger.
The dangerous kind.
The kind that came from someone who had spent years learning patience.
"We need to know who is behind this."
I looked at him.
"Do you think Ryan was just being used?"
Charles nodded.
"I do."
The investigation continued.
Every piece of evidence showed the same thing.
Ryan was not the mastermind.
He was a tool.
A person with his own weaknesses.
His own greed.
His own anger.
But someone had encouraged him.
Someone had given him confidence.
The next morning, Charles received a call.
After he hung up, his face was serious.
"What happened?"
He looked at me.
"We found the person."
My heart raced.
"Who?"
He placed a file on the table.
I opened it.
And froze.
The name belonged to someone from Ryan's past.
A former business partner.
Michael Grant.
Ryan had worked with him years ago.
Until their company collapsed.
"Why would he do this?"
Charles looked at the documents.
"Revenge."
Michael believed Ryan ruined his life.
Instead of moving on, he spent years planning.
And when Ryan married you...
He found the perfect way to hurt him.
Through you.
Through Lily.
Through your family.
I felt sick.
"So Ryan knew?"
"We don't know yet."
That was the hardest part.
Ryan was still dangerous.
Because even if he was manipulated...
He still chose to hurt me.
That afternoon, Ryan appeared outside my father's house.
Security immediately stopped him.
"I need to talk to Emily."
I watched from the window.
I didn't recognize him anymore.
The man standing outside was not my husband.
He was someone desperate.
Charles stood beside me.
"You don't have to see him."
But I did.
I walked outside.
Ryan looked at me.
"I made mistakes."
I shook my head.
"No, Ryan."
He swallowed.
"You don't understand."
"No."
I looked at him.
"You don't understand."
For once, he had no answer.
Then his expression changed.
"Emily, you need to listen."
"Why?"
"Because Michael isn't done."
My heart stopped.
"What does that mean?"
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Ryan whispered:
"He is coming after Lily."
