Chapter 10: My Father's Voice Was on the Recording
For several seconds, I couldn't hear anything except the blood rushing through my ears.
My father's voice.
On a recording from the night Vanessa allegedly tried to steal my mother's invention.
I turned toward him.
"Why were you there?""
Dad looked as though someone had struck him.
"Maya, I can explain.""
"Then explain.""
Arthur's face appeared on the laptop screen.
"Daniel was present during the final meeting between Elizabeth and Vanessa. I remember it clearly.""
Dad lowered his head.
"I didn't know what she was planning.""
I took a step backward.
"How many things have you not told me?""
He reached toward me.
I moved away.
Arthur spoke gently.
"Let me finish. Your father wasn't part of the company. Elizabeth invited him because she wanted someone she trusted to witness the discussion.""
I looked at Dad.
"Is that true?""
He nodded.
"Your mother had discovered that Vanessa was transferring money without authorization. She asked me to attend a meeting at the laboratory.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I was ashamed.""
"Of what?""
He looked at me, his eyes red.
"Of not protecting her.""
The room became silent.
Dad sat down.
"Your mother confronted Vanessa. She showed her the financial records and demanded that she return the money. Vanessa denied everything. She said the transfers were legitimate business expenses.""
"And you believed her?""
"No. I believed your mother.""
"Then what happened?""
Dad stared at his hands.
"Vanessa threatened to expose some private financial arrangements involving the company. She said she could make it look as though your mother had authorized everything.""
Arthur nodded.
"That's what happened.""
Dad continued.
"I told Vanessa to leave. I thought that was the end of it. A few months later, your mother became too ill to continue working.
I was dealing with hospitals, insurance, and everything else. I didn't realize Vanessa was still contacting Arthur.""
I swallowed.
"Did you know about the Aurora Framework?""
"Yes.""
"Did you know Mom had left it to me?""
He nodded.
"She told me.""
My voice cracked.
"Then why did you sign the agreement transferring it to Brielle?""
Dad closed his eyes.
"Vanessa told me the company was only registering a temporary commercial license. She said it was necessary to preserve the technology and protect your inheritance.""
"You knew it was Mom's.""
"Yes.""
"And you still signed?""
He looked up.
"I thought I was doing what your mother would have wanted.""
I stared at him.
"Don't use Mom to explain what you did.""
He flinched.
I turned away.
For nine months, I'd believed my father was simply distracted by his new marriage.
Now I was discovering that he'd known far more than he'd admitted.
Eleanor interrupted.
"We need to focus on the recording. Arthur, can you access it?""
Arthur shook his head.
"Not without the original prototype.""
"Where is it?""
"I believe Martin Reeves transferred it to a private storage facility.""
Dad stood.
"I know where.""
Everyone turned toward him.
He looked at Eleanor.
"Vanessa rented a storage unit outside town. She told me it contained old office furniture from the company.""
"Do you know the address?"" Eleanor asked.
Dad nodded.
"I have it in an email.""
Eleanor immediately stopped him.
"Don't go there. Don't attempt to retrieve anything yourself. We need to document the location and involve the appropriate authorities.""
Dad agreed.
But I could see the anger building behind his eyes.
For the first time, he seemed determined to do something about the damage he'd allowed.
The next morning, Eleanor received confirmation that the storage facility was connected to Vantage Intelligent Systems.
The authorities arranged to inspect the unit after receiving the necessary authorization.
Arthur came with us.
I waited outside the facility with Dad while Eleanor spoke to the officers.
The metal doors rattled in the wind.
A few minutes later, she emerged.
"There's a problem.""
My stomach tightened.
"What?""
"The unit is empty.""
Dad stared at her.
"Empty?""
"Completely cleared. The manager says someone removed the contents yesterday afternoon.""
Arthur looked devastated.
"Then we're too late.""
I shook my head.
"No. They can't keep moving everything forever.""
Eleanor looked at me.
"We found something else.""
She showed me a photograph taken inside the unit.
There was a rectangular patch on the dusty floor where something heavy had been stored.
Beside it lay a torn shipping label.
The destination was partially visible.
*SENTINEL DYNAMICS — PRIVATE RESEARCH FACILITY.*
Arthur's expression changed.
"They've moved the prototype to the buyer.""
I stared at him.
"The buyer?""
He nodded.
"Vanessa is preparing to sell the Aurora Framework.""
Eleanor looked at her phone.
"And if the company completes the transaction before the ownership dispute is resolved, this could become considerably more complicated.""
I felt my stomach turn.
"How much time do we have?""
She checked the latest correspondence.
"According to the documents, the proposed acquisition closes in four days.""
Four days.
The same amount of time we had before the next court hearing.
I looked at Dad.
"We need that recording.""
He nodded.
"We'll find it.""
For once, I believed he meant it.
That evening, Brielle came into the garage.
She was carrying a small cardboard box.
"I found this in Mom's desk.""
I looked up from A.R.I.A.
"What's inside?""
She placed it on the table.
"Old company documents. I think she forgot about them.""
Inside were several receipts, printed emails, and a small silver key.
Arthur examined it through a video call.
His expression changed.
"That's the key to the prototype's secondary compartment.""
I picked it up.
"How do you know?""
"Your mother designed the locking mechanism herself.""
I turned the key between my fingers.
"Then the prototype might still have the recording?""
"Yes.""
Brielle reached into the box again.
"There was also this.""
She handed me a folded piece of paper.
It contained a handwritten address.
I recognized the street immediately.
It was the address of an abandoned research building on the outskirts of town.
Arthur leaned closer to the screen.
"That's the original laboratory.""
Dad looked at me.
"Vanessa told me it had been demolished.""
Arthur shook his head.
"Apparently, it wasn't.""
I studied the address.
If the prototype had been moved there, we might still have a chance.
Then Brielle's phone vibrated.
A message from Vanessa appeared.
We need to talk. Bring Maya to the house tonight. There is something she needs to sign.
Brielle showed me the screen.
I looked at her.
"What do you think she wants?""
Brielle swallowed.
"Probably the settlement.""
I looked at the message again.
Then another arrived.
If she refuses, Daniel will be responsible for everything.
I turned toward my father.
He read it.
His face went pale.
And suddenly, I understood.
May you like
Vanessa wasn't just trying to protect her company anymore.
She was preparing to sacrifice Dad to save herself.
