Chapter 7: Identity Crisis
1430words
“Do you have evidence?” I forced myself to stay calm, my professional instincts taking over my emotions, though my voice still trembled slightly.
“Not direct evidence, but enough circumstantial evidence.” Ethan sat beside me. His arm brushed lightly against mine, the brief contact sending tingles across my skin. He pointed to meeting minutes in the folder dated eight years ago. “This is from a secret meeting between my father and the company’s legal team. They discussed how to handle the ‘Reed problem’ and ensure the transfer of ‘algorithm ownership.’ The meeting took place just three days before your parents’ accident.”
I read the document carefully, each word stabbing my heart like a knife. William Morgan was indeed plotting to acquire my parents’ algorithm, willing to use “all necessary means.” My fingers hovered above the document, afraid to touch those cold words, as if they might burn my skin.
“Why tell me this now?” I looked up at Ethan. “You knew I was an investigator, right?”
He nodded, his gaze honest and direct. “I knew your real identity. Sophie told me on your first day at the company.”
“So this was all a trap?” I stood up abruptly, feeling betrayed, waves of anger surging through me. “You engineered my joining Morgan Group for what? To monitor me? To use me?”
Ethan stood up too, his tall figure casting a long shadow in the moonlight. He reached out to touch my arm, but I stepped back to avoid it. His hand hung in the air before slowly lowering, a flash of hurt crossing his eyes.
“It’s not like that,” his voice was gentle yet firm. “I didn’t know Thompson would send you. When I saw you that first day, I was as shocked as you were.” He stepped forward, reducing the distance between us, his gaze softening. “But I quickly realized this might be an opportunity—a chance for you to learn the truth.”
“What truth?” I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest, building an invisible wall. “The truth that your father might have killed my parents? The truth that your family stole their life’s work? Or the truth that you knew about our son but pretended not to?”
“About Leo…” Ethan’s voice softened, and he stepped forward again. This time I didn’t back away. His hand gently touched my arm, the warmth of his touch penetrating through the fabric. “The day I saw him in the hospital, I felt a connection. It’s hard to describe, but when he smiled, when he focused on something… I saw myself as a child.”
His hand slid from my arm to my wrist, then to the back of my hand, finally gently holding my fingers.
“My father is more dangerous than we imagined,” Ethan continued. “He’s not only potentially involved in your parents’ deaths but is also using the Phoenix algorithm to manipulate markets. And now, he knows you’re investigating him. He won’t stand by and do nothing.”
My thoughts raced. If William was truly involved in my parents’ deaths, if he knew I was investigating him, then both Leo and I were in danger. I unconsciously moved closer to Ethan, seeking that long-forgotten sense of security.
“Is Thompson involved too?” I asked, recalling Sophie’s warning.
“I’m not certain of his exact role, but his relationship with my father is definitely abnormal.” Ethan walked to the window, his back to the Manhattan skyline. “I suspect my father has some control over him, possibly through threats or an exchange of benefits.”
I recalled the information on the USB drive—Thompson had indeed been involved in investigating my parents’ accident. If he helped cover up the truth, then William must have leverage over him.
“I need to protect Leo,” I said firmly, looking up into Ethan’s eyes, searching for confirmation in those deep blue depths. “If what you’re saying is true, I must take him away immediately.”
“No.” Ethan turned to face me. “That’s exactly what my father would expect. If you suddenly disappear, he’ll know you’ve discovered something and might take more extreme measures. We need to be smarter.”
“We?” I raised an eyebrow. “Whose side are you on, Ethan? He is your father, after all.”
Ethan’s expression grew intensely serious, his hand gently gripping mine. “I stand on the side of justice. If my father truly committed these crimes, he must be held accountable. And…” his voice softened, his eyes shining with tenderness, “I stand with Leo, Olivia. I’ve missed five years of his life. I won’t miss another day.”
Our gazes met in the air, and in that moment, I saw the Ethan I had loved eight years ago—upright, brave, principled. There was no lie in his eyes, no deception, only sincerity and determination. But I couldn’t make decisions based on feelings alone, not when Leo’s safety was at stake.
“I need evidence,” I finally said. “Concrete evidence proving your father’s connection to my parents’ deaths, and Thompson’s role. Until then, I can’t risk trusting anyone.”
“Fair enough.” Ethan nodded. “I have a plan. Next week’s Asian investment project launch event—my father will attend personally. All key players will be there, including Thompson. It’s our best chance to gather evidence.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“I need you to continue your undercover role, making my father and Thompson believe you’re still in the dark. Meanwhile, I’ll arrange access permissions so you can reach the company’s core servers during the event.”
I considered the feasibility and risks of this plan. If successful, we might obtain sufficient evidence; if it failed, the consequences would be unimaginable. My fingers unconsciously touched the necklace at my throat—the only keepsake from my mother.
“What about Leo?” I asked my most pressing concern, my voice carrying undisguisable worry. “If your father is as dangerous as you say, I can’t let Leo be at risk.”
Ethan’s expression softened. “I have a safe place, my private villa in Connecticut. It has round-the-clock security, and no one knows it’s connected to me, not even my father. You and Leo can stay there temporarily.”
I hesitated. Entrusting Leo’s safety to Ethan required enormous trust. But if William truly began to suspect me, Leo might not be safe in our current residence.
“I need time to think about it,” I finally said.
“I understand.” Ethan nodded. “But time is running short, Olivia. My father has already started investigating you, and Thompson is closely monitoring your every move.”
I stood up, preparing to leave. Tonight’s information overload was too much; I needed to think alone and evaluate all options.
“Wait.” Ethan called after me, taking a small box from his desk drawer. “This is for Leo. I know I have no right to suddenly appear in his life, but… I hope to have a chance to get to know him, to be his father.”
I took the box and opened it to find an exquisite silver compass. On the back was engraved, “To my son Leo, may you always find your way home.” This simple yet heartfelt gift made my heart tremble slightly. Ethan’s eyes were filled with expectation and vulnerability, that naked emotion making it impossible for me to look away.
“I’ll think about it, Ethan. About everything,” I said softly, then rose on tiptoe to leave a gentle kiss on his cheek, the sensation as brief yet real as a feather’s touch.
His expression turned surprised, then deeply joyful. He didn’t press further or demand more, just nodded gently, his eyes sparkling with hope.
—
As I left his apartment, the night breeze caressed my cheeks, and I felt a strange mixture of lightness and heaviness. Ethan’s accusations, Sophie’s warnings, the evidence on the USB drive—all pointed to a terrifying possibility: William Morgan had murdered my parents, and Thompson might have helped cover up the truth.
Making matters more complex, Ethan now confirmed that Leo was his son. He wanted to be part of Leo’s life, and Leo—my little boy who had always dreamed of having a father—how would he react if he knew Ethan was his dad?
My fingers gently caressed the silver compass, feeling the cool metal and the texture of the engraved words. Ethan’s words echoed in my mind: “I stand with Leo.” Perhaps this time I could trust him. Perhaps we could face this storm together.
My phone vibrated with a text from Thompson: “Meeting in my office tomorrow at 8 AM. Need to discuss your investigation progress.”
