Chapter 2: The Man They Never Researched
The rain hit the pavement like thousands of tiny explosions.
I stood beside my father, confused, while the stranger held the umbrella over him.
“Dad?””
He didn’t answer immediately.
That scared me more than anything.
My father was never speechless.
Not when bills arrived.
Not when my car broke down.
Not even when doctors told us my mother wouldn’t recover.
But now?
He looked at the hotel behind us like he was looking at a ghost.
The man in the suit opened the back door of the first black car.
“Mr. Henderson, everyone has been waiting.””
My father sighed.
“Michael, not tonight.””
The man looked surprised.
“Sir, after what happened—”
“Not tonight.””
I stepped forward.
“Who is he?””
My father finally looked at me.
And for the first time in my life, I saw uncertainty in his eyes.
“Someone I used to know.””
That answer made no sense.
The man smiled slightly.
“Blake, my name is Michael Reed. I work for your father.””
I laughed once.
Not because it was funny.
Because it was impossible.
“My father repairs heating systems.””
Michael looked toward him.
“With respect, that’s what he wanted people to believe.””
My heart stopped.
“What?””
Before Michael could answer, the ballroom doors opened.
Fiona stormed outside.
Her makeup was streaked from tears.
“You’re leaving?””
I turned.
“You insulted my father.””
Her face hardened.
“My mother made a joke.””
“A joke?””
“Yes.””
She looked frustrated.
“You’re ruining everything over one comment.””
I stared at her.
“One comment?””
She stepped closer.
“Blake, think about this. You had a chance to join a powerful family.””
There it was.
The truth.
Not love.
Not partnership.
Status.
“You mean your family was letting me join because I was useful.””
“That’s not what I said.””
“It’s exactly what you said.””
Fiona’s expression changed.
“You’re being dramatic.””
My father quietly said my name.
“Blake.””
I looked at him.
He gave me the smallest shake of his head.
Not because he disagreed.
Because he didn’t want me fighting for him.
That was my father.
Even after being humiliated, he still worried about me.
I turned back to Fiona.
“You laughed.””
Her eyes dropped.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
Regret.
Not for hurting him.
For losing me.
Then George appeared behind her.
“Enough.””
He stepped outside.
His confidence had returned.
Almost.
“You don’t understand the consequences of what you’re doing.””
I looked at him.
“Explain them.””
He smiled coldly.
“Walking away from my daughter means walking away from opportunities.””
My father looked at George.
And something changed.
A quiet anger appeared.
“You still don’t know who you’re talking to.””
George laughed.
“And you do?””
My father didn’t answer.
Instead, he looked at Michael.
“Call them.””
Michael nodded.
“Immediately.””
George frowned.
“Call who?””
No one answered.
The next morning, every major business newspaper in the country would publish the same headline.
But I didn’t know that yet.
I only knew one thing.
May you like
My father had spent my entire life hiding something.
And now, I was finally about to discover why.
