Chapter 7: The Truth Beneath the Name
Edward had spent his entire life believing the Brangnown name was something to protect.
A legacy.
A promise.
A symbol that his family had built something powerful from nothing.
But standing in the center of his own mansion, looking at the man who once knew every detail of his life, Edward wondered if the name he protected had ever protected him.
Marcus stood calmly across from him.
Too calmly.
That bothered Edward more than fear would have.
People who were afraid usually looked away.
Marcus didn’t.
He looked like a man who had been waiting years for this moment.
“You’re going to tell me everything,” Edward said.
Marcus glanced around the room.
“Not here.””
Edward’s eyes hardened.
“You walked into my house uninvited, accused my family of hiding something, and now you’re worried about the location?””
Marcus looked at Leo.
“Yes.””
Edward noticed.
The concern in Marcus’ voice was real.
Not an act.
That made everything more complicated.
“Why do you care about him?”” Edward asked.
Marcus looked at the boy.
“Because Daniel cared about him.””
The answer was simple.
But it carried weight.
Edward stepped closer.
“Where is my son?””
Marcus’ expression changed.
A sadness passed through his face.
“Edward…”
“No.””
Edward’s voice was firm.
“I spent eight years mourning a dead child.””
The room went quiet.
“I watched my family tell me a lie.””
His eyes moved toward James.
“I trusted people who knew the truth.””
Then he looked back at Marcus.
“So don’t stand there and speak to me like I’m supposed to be patient.””
Marcus nodded slowly.
“You deserve answers.””
“Then give them.””
Marcus looked at Leo.
“Your son is alive.””
Leo’s eyes widened.
Edward felt his entire body freeze.
Alive.
The word he had wanted to hear.
The word he had dreamed about.
The word he had stopped allowing himself to believe.
“Where?”” Edward whispered.
Marcus shook his head.
“I don’t know.””
Edward’s anger returned.
“You don’t know?””
“I know where he was last seen.””
“Where?””
Marcus looked down.
“Running.””
Edward stared.
“From who?””
Marcus looked at him.
“From everyone.””
The answer made no sense.
Until Marcus continued.
“Daniel discovered that the company wasn’t just being used for financial crimes.””
Edward waited.
“It was being used to hide people’s mistakes.””
“What mistakes?””
Marcus hesitated.
“Your father’s.””
Edward went silent.
The mention of his father changed something.
The Brangnown family history had always been complicated.
His father had been a ruthless businessman. A man who built an empire by making difficult choices.
Edward had spent years convincing himself that those choices were necessary.
But Marcus’ words carried a different meaning.
“What did my father do?””
Marcus looked at James.
The butler closed his eyes.
Because he knew.
Edward noticed.
“You knew too.””
James whispered, “Parts of it.””
Edward turned away.
The betrayal felt endless.
Marcus continued.
“Years ago, your father created agreements with people who were dangerous.””
“What kind of people?””
“People who didn’t care about laws.””
Edward looked toward Leo.
The boy was listening quietly.
Taking in pieces of a world he was too young to understand.
Edward lowered his voice.
“Why would Daniel care about something that happened before him?””
“Because those people came back.””
Marcus looked at the watch.
“And they wanted the Brangnown family to keep paying for old debts.””
Edward looked at the pocket watch.
The hidden message.
Trust no one in the house.
Daniel had not been warning him about strangers.
He had been warning him about what was already inside.
“Who was involved?”” Edward asked.
Marcus looked away.
Then said, “Your brother.””
Edward’s expression darkened.
“My brother was dead before I learned any of this.””
“Exactly.””
The room fell silent.
Marcus continued.
“He knew Daniel was investigating.””
Edward clenched his jaw.
“And he let me believe my son was dead.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Marcus looked at Leo.
“Because Daniel found proof.””
“What proof?””
“I don’t know.””
Edward laughed bitterly.
“Everyone keeps saying that.””
Marcus didn’t react.
“Because the person who had it disappeared.””
“Who?””
Marcus looked directly at him.
“Your son.””
Edward stared.
Daniel had taken the evidence.
Daniel had hidden himself.
Daniel had protected his child.
And Edward realized something painful.
His son had not abandoned him.
He had been trying to survive.
A small voice interrupted.
“Did my dad hate me?””
Everyone turned.
Leo stood near the table.
His eyes were wet.
Edward immediately moved toward him.
“No.””
Leo looked up.
“But he left.””
Edward knelt.
“He didn’t leave because he didn’t love you.””
“How do you know?””
Edward looked at the photograph.
Because the answer was obvious.
Because a man who didn’t care would never have hidden a message for his child.
Because a man who didn’t love his son would not have carried that watch.
“He left because he was trying to protect you.””
Leo wiped his eyes.
“From what?””
Edward looked at Marcus.
Nobody answered.
Because the truth was becoming clearer.
Leo had not inherited a family.
He had inherited a war.
Suddenly, a loud crash came from outside.
The security guards rushed toward the windows.
Marcus immediately turned.
“What was that?””
The security chief spoke into his radio.
“Someone is leaving the property.””
Edward looked at Marcus.
“You said you came alone.””
Marcus shook his head.
“I did.””
The guard returned moments later.
His face was pale.
“Mr. Brangnown…”
Edward looked at him.
“What?””
“We found a vehicle near the east gate.””
“Whose?””
The guard hesitated.
Then handed him a small identification card.
Edward looked down.
May you like
And his blood ran cold.
It belonged to Daniel.
