Chapter 7: The Secret Victor Left Behind
Chapter 7: The Secret Victor Left Behind
The rain poured heavily over the city that night.
Inside the private office of Vale International, Mariana sat alone.
For the first time since she took control of the Valmont estate, she looked uncertain.
Not afraid.
Never afraid.
But disturbed.
Victor Valmont had been many things.
A businessman.
A father.
A powerful man surrounded by enemies.
But he was also the only person who had ever seen through Mariana completely.
Years ago, before she married Adrian, Victor had found her.
Not because of her wealth.
Not because of her company.
Because he knew she was different.
He had told her something she never forgot.
"People show their true faces when they believe you have nothing."
At the time, Mariana thought he was talking about business.
Now she realized he was talking about family.
Lucas entered the office.
"You haven't moved for an hour."
Mariana looked at the old wooden box sitting on her desk.
"Victor left this for me."
Lucas looked surprised.
"When?"
"Six years ago."
"Why didn't you open it?"
Mariana remained silent.
Because she remembered Victor's final words.
"Open this only when the Valmont family turns against you."
And now they had.
She opened the box.
Inside was a small key.
A photograph.
And a handwritten note.
Her hands tightened as she read.
Mariana, if you are reading this, then I failed to protect my family. But you still have a chance to save it.
She turned the photograph over.
Her eyes widened.
It was a picture of Victor.
A younger Adrian.
And another woman.
A woman Mariana had never seen.
Lucas noticed her expression.
"Who is she?"
Mariana slowly answered.
"I don't know."
But deep down...
she knew this woman was important.
The note continued.
The truth about my death is connected to my greatest mistake. I trusted the wrong person. But my greatest mistake was not knowing that person had an accomplice.
Mariana stopped reading.
An accomplice.
Someone else.
Not just Vivienne.
Someone had helped her.
Someone still hidden.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
A man's voice whispered.
"You finally opened the box."
Mariana stood.
"Who is this?"
"You want the truth about Victor?"
"Who are you?"
A pause.
Then:
"The person who tried to warn him before he died."
The call ended.
Mariana stared at the phone.
May you like
Because there was only one person who could know about the box.
Someone who had been watching her.
