CHAPTER 61
The sun poured through the wide windows of Kate's office, but the warmth didn't reach her today. She sat behind her desk at Titan Innovations, immersed in files from the AI department, trying to reorient herself after days of turmoil.
Her assistant knocked lightly and stepped in. "There's someone here to see you. He says his name is Mr. Langston."
Kate frowned. That name wasn't unfamiliar. In fact, it triggered a subtle discomfort. "Send him in."
The door opened, and a sharply dressed man in his mid-sixties walked in with the kind of confidence that came from decades of winning corporate battles. Gregory Langston—her late father's fiercest rival in business.
"Miss Dray," he said with a cool smile, "or do you prefer Mrs. William Dray now?"
Kate stood slowly, guarded. "What do you want?"
Langston placed a thick folder on her desk and took a seat uninvited. "A partnership proposal. Your AI project is impressive. With my funding and global reach, we could make history."
Kate didn't touch the folder. "You expect me to trust you after how you slandered my father in the press for years?"
Langston's smirk widened. "No. I expect you to trust yourself to want the truth."
Kate narrowed her eyes. "What truth?"
Langston leaned forward slightly, voice low and sharp. "I know what really happened the day your parents died."
Her heart stuttered. "What are you talking about?"
Langston stood, buttoning his suit jacket. "D'or Restaurant. Tomorrow. Four p.m. Come alone."
He walked to the door, pausing only to tap the folder. "You'll want to take a look at that. Some things are worth revisiting."
Then he left.
Kate sat frozen for a moment before slowly opening the folder. The proposal was real. Detailed. But it was the name at the end of the document that made her flinch: Langston International, partnered with Argus Security Solutions—a private intelligence firm rumored to have once investigated her family.
That night, Kate stood by the window of her bedroom at the mansion, the folder untouched on her nightstand. Her thoughts warred within her. She didn't want to believe Langston had answers. But what if he did?
---
D'or Restaurant carried the quiet hum of wealth—low music, soft lighting, and waiters trained to disappear. Kate arrived five minutes early, her heart pounding despite her calm expression.
Langston arrived shortly after, flanked by two men who stood outside as he approached the table.
"I appreciate punctuality," he said smoothly, taking his seat.
Kate cut through the pleasantries. "Start talking."
Langston sipped his wine. "The plane crash. It wasn't mechanical failure. Your father had enemies—on the board, in government contracts. And someone cashed in on that."
Kate's throat tightened. "How do you know?"
"Because I was one of those enemies. But I didn't want him dead," Langston said. "There was… betrayal. Financial. Internal sabotage."
He leaned closer. "Your uncle—Carlos. Not everyone on your father's side was rooting for him."
Kate's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Langston gave a small shrug. "Let's just say your father was planning to make changes. Big ones. He wanted to cut off the board's offshore laundering. Carlos didn't like that."
"You're lying."
"Maybe. But even lies come from somewhere." He stood. "That's all I'll say—for now."
Kate didn't stop him as he walked out.
---
The drive back to the mansion felt surreal. Kate's thoughts spiraled as she tried to reconcile what she'd just heard with childhood memories. Arguments behind closed doors. Carlos avoiding eye contact at the funeral. Clara—his wife—tightly gripping her hand, eyes red, not from grief, but guilt.
The next morning, unable to hold back, Kate drove straight to Carlos and Clara's home in the suburbs.
Carlos was surprised to see her. "Katie? This is a surprise."
She stepped in without waiting. "Where's Clara?"
"In the kitchen—what's wrong?"
Clara emerged, drying her hands. "Kate! What a lovely—"
"What do you know about my parents' crash?" Kate asked coldly.
Both froze.
Carlos frowned. "That's a terrible question, Kate. Why would you—"
"Don't play innocent," she snapped. "Just tell me the truth."
Clara paled slightly, her eyes darting to her husband. Carlos, however, didn't blink.
"I loved your father like a brother."
Kate crossed her arms. "Then why do I remember you arguing days before the crash? Why did he want you out of the company?"
Silence.
Carlos's jaw tightened. "Sometimes, digging into the past gets people killed. Be smart, Kate. Let the dead rest."
Kate stepped back, disgusted. "Thanks for your hospitality."
She walked out without another word, her heart pounding.
---
She reached the mansion close to dusk. William was already back from his meetings. As she stepped into the living room, he noticed her pale face and stiff walk.
He stood immediately. "What's wrong?"
She collapsed onto the couch, tears springing to her eyes.
"Langston came to my office. He said he knows the truth about the crash. Said it wasn't an accident. Said Carlos might've been involved."
William's face darkened.
She continued, voice trembling, "I met him. He hinted at betrayals… And when I confronted Carlos, he didn't deny it. He just—he warned me."
William didn't speak for a long time. When he finally did, his voice was ice. "If they had a hand in your parents' death… I'll make sure they pay."
Kate looked up at him, eyes raw. "What if it's true? What if the people who raised me were responsible?"
He knelt beside her. "Then they'll face the truth. You're not alone in this."
He stood and reached for his phone. "I'm calling a friend—Mason Cross. Private investigator. If anyone can dig this up, it's him."
Kate reached for his hand. "Thank you."
William held her hand tightly, his own eyes steeled with fury and determination.
---
The next evening, they sat in the mansion garden under soft moonlight, a rare moment of calm. The weight of investigation hung in the background, but for now, they were just two people—expectant parents—sharing warm tea and a quiet night.
Kate rested her head against William's shoulder. "I can't believe we're finally here. A little peace."
William kissed the top of her head. "It won't last. But I'll protect it while it does."
They both smiled faintly. It was the kind of moment they hadn't known they needed.
---
The peace shattered the next morning.
A parcel was left at the mansion gate. No return address. The guard thought little of it.
Kate opened it after breakfast.
Inside was a small, silver locket—and a note in bold, typewritten font:
Stop digging. Or you and your baby will suffer the same fate as your parents.
Her hands trembled. She dropped the note.
William rushed over. "What is it?"
Kate handed it to him wordlessly.
He read it, face hardening by the second.
"That's it."
He pulled out his phone and dialed. "Jeremy? I need you and Emma on something. Check the Jones files—plane crash records, board finances, everything. Track any new digital movement."
Kate watched him, her fear turning slowly into fury.
---
Meanwhile, in Jeremy's apartment, the investigation began.
Emma scoured records until something suspicious appeared—a wire transfer three days before the crash. Massive. Hidden under a shell company. She followed the trail and gasped.
"It's linked to Carlos. Offshore account. Cayman Islands."
Jeremy stared. "So it's real."
He called William immediately.
---
Elsewhere, Carlos paced in his study.
His phone buzzed. A brief message from his inside contact:
They know.
He slammed the phone down.
Clara entered. "What's wrong?"
"They're getting close. Kate and William… they've dug too far."
"You said it was buried."
Carlos looked at her grimly. "It was. But now it's time to bury her too."
Clara gasped. "Carlos—no!"
He didn't answer.
---
That evening, Kate strolled near the garden. The guards were on alert, but one had stepped away for a call. It was only a few seconds.
A black SUV pulled up. Three masked men leaped out.
Kate turned, too late.
She screamed.
A hand clamped over her mouth.
The nearest guard ran, but was struck down.
In moments, she was gone.
---
William returned minutes later to chaos.
"Where is she?!" he roared.
The head of security stammered. "They—they took her. Black SUV. She's gone."
William's world tilted.
He pulled out his phone, dialing Jeremy and Liam.
"Emergency. Meet me at the mansion."
His voice was low. Cold. Unshakable.
"We're not playing nice anymore. I want Carlos. And I want Kate back. Now."