Chapter 5 - The Man Who Came for the Proof
Alexander moved before I did.
He shoved the desk sideways as the masked man lunged toward the box.
The attacker crashed into it.
I grabbed the metal box and ran toward the bedroom door.
“Lena!”
Another man appeared in the hallway.
Two of them.
This had not been intimidation.
Someone knew exactly where we were.
The second man reached for me.
Years of cleaning luxury apartments had never prepared me for fighting criminals.
But fourteen years of surviving had taught me something more useful.
When someone stronger grabs you, don’t fight where they’re strongest.
I dropped.
His hand slipped from my shoulder.
Then I slammed the metal box into his knee.
He shouted.
Alexander tackled him.
The first attacker recovered and charged.
Maya screamed from the hallway.
“Police are coming!”
Both men hesitated.
That was enough.
They ran.
Alexander chased them to the staircase but returned seconds later.
“They’re gone.”
His lip was bleeding.
His coat was torn.
I was shaking so badly I nearly dropped the box.
He reached for my arm.
“Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re trembling.”
“I said I’m fine.”
He released me immediately.
No argument.
No arrogant joke.
Just concern.
Police arrived six minutes later.
We gave statements.
Security cameras near the building entrance captured a black SUV, but the plates had been covered.
Detective Rosa Martinez listened to the cassette recording twice.
Then she looked at me.
“Ms. Morales, this is no longer a family mystery.”
Alexander frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“It means attempted theft, possible conspiracy, and evidence related to financial crimes.”
I swallowed.
“And my mother?”
Martinez’s expression softened.
“I’m going to request her old case file.”
“My mother died from a car accident.”
“That’s what the report says?”
“Yes.”
Alexander and I exchanged a glance.
The detective wrote something down.
“Then I’d like to see the vehicle inspection records.”
Three hours later, Alexander received a phone call.
His company’s chief financial officer was panicking.
Blake International’s board had learned about the documents.
Someone had leaked photographs of Alexander leaving my apartment.
The media was already asking questions.
Then another problem arrived.
Vanessa.
She posted a statement online.
I watched it from the police station.
Her perfect face filled my screen.
“Last night, a former cleaning employee attempted to manipulate Alexander Blake with fabricated accusations against his deceased father.”
My stomach tightened.
Former cleaning employee.
She continued.
“Our family has reason to believe this woman is seeking money.”
Comments exploded beneath the video.
Gold digger.
Scammer.
Fake victim.
Alexander reached for my phone.
“Don’t read them.”
I pulled it away.
“I’ve spent half my life being invisible. I’m not going to become afraid now that people can see me.”
He studied me.
Then his own phone rang.
Margaret Blake.
He answered on speaker.
“Alexander, come to the house immediately.”
“What happened?”
Margaret’s voice trembled.
“Someone broke into my study.”
I stood.
“The envelope?”
“Gone.”
Alexander’s face darkened.
Margaret continued.
“But that isn’t the worst part.”
“What is?”
“I remembered something.”
Silence.
“The night Elena came to me, she wasn’t alone.”
My heartbeat accelerated.
“Who was with her?”
Margaret answered.
“Your father, Lena.”
I stopped breathing.
May you like
My father had spent fourteen years telling me he knew nothing.
He had lied.
