Chapter 4: The Name She Tried To Forget
Chapter 4: The Name She Tried To Forget
The room felt smaller.
The air became heavier.
Hannah stared at the document in front of her.
She didn’t touch it.
She didn’t need to.
She already knew what was written there.
Alexander noticed the fear in her eyes.
“Hannah.”
She remained silent.
“Hannah, what is that?”
For the first time since he met her, Alexander saw something he had never seen before.
Not sadness.
Not anger.
Fear.
Deep, painful fear.
Michael quietly stepped back.
Giving them space.
Alexander sat beside her.
“Whatever it is, we face it together.”
Hannah looked at him.
“You don’t understand.”
“Then help me understand.”
She looked at the document.
“My name wasn’t always Hannah Brooks.”
Alexander stayed quiet.
“My parents changed my identity when I was sixteen.”
“Why?”
Her fingers tightened.
“Because my family was destroyed.”
Alexander frowned.
“What happened?”
Hannah closed her eyes.
“My father was accused of stealing billions from one of America’s biggest companies.”
Alexander froze.
“Which company?”
She whispered the answer.
“Whitlock Industries.”
The silence was immediate.
Because Claire Whitlock’s family.
The family she came from.
Was the same family that destroyed Hannah’s life.
“My father didn’t steal anything,” Hannah continued.
“He was framed.”
Alexander listened carefully.
“And the person who framed him?”
Hannah looked up.
“Claire’s father.”
The truth hit him.
Hard.
For years, everyone believed the Whitlock family was innocent.
A respected business dynasty.
A family built on success.
But Hannah knew the hidden story.
“They took everything from us.”
Her voice cracked.
“My father died trying to prove the truth.”
Alexander reached for her hand.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I was afraid.”
“Afraid of me?”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“Afraid that if you knew who I was, you would see me as a problem.”
Alexander looked hurt.
“Hannah…”
She continued.
“I loved you before I knew your last name could protect me.”
A long silence followed.
Then Alexander stood.
His expression changed.
The businessman returned.
Cold.
Focused.
Dangerous.
“Claire knew.”
Hannah looked at him.
“What?”
“She knew who you were.”
His voice lowered.
“She didn’t just attack you because she was jealous.”
He looked at the folder.
“She attacked you because she knows you can expose her family.”
Hannah felt a chill.
Then Alexander picked up his phone.
“Call every investigator we have.”
Michael nodded.
“What are we looking for?”
Alexander looked at Hannah.
“The truth.”
Then he looked toward the mansion doors.
“And anyone who tried to bury it.”
Outside, thunder rolled across the sky.
Because the battle had just begun.
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And Claire Whitlock had no idea…
The woman she forced to kneel had just stood up.
