Liam set down the phone, his hand trembling slightly as he processed the warning he'd just received. The cold voice had been direct, leaving no room for misunderstanding. Whoever was behind the call didn't want Liam digging into Noah's life. But the more they pushed him away, the more determined he felt to uncover whatever secrets Noah was hiding.
Liam leaned back, staring at the empty doorway where Noah had just left. His assistant had walked into Cross Publishing like a ghost, and now it seemed he was disappearing just as quickly, slipping through Liam's grasp. The dark expression Noah had worn before leaving stayed fresh in his mind, sparking new questions.
He picked up his phone and pulled up his former assistant's number. They hadn't parted on the best terms, but maybe now they could be a little more forthcoming about what they'd meant by their messages.
Before he could hit "call," his office door swung open abruptly, and a familiar figure walked in—Darren, his best friend and head of the publishing firm's finance department. Darren looked at Liam's face, instantly frowning.
"What's wrong, man?" Darren asked, his voice full of concern. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Liam hesitated, unsure if he should share what had happened. But if there was one person he trusted, it was Darren.
"Listen, I just got a call," Liam started, glancing around to make sure they were alone. "Someone… warned me about Noah. Said I should stay away from him. And there've been these strange messages from my old assistant, hinting that something's off."
Darren leaned back against the desk, crossing his arms. "The new assistant? You think he's… what, a threat?"
Liam rubbed his forehead, suddenly feeling a headache forming. "I don't know. I just have this gut feeling. He's too calm, too composed. He's hiding something, and I feel like he's here for more than just office work."
Darren's eyes narrowed. "Have you checked his background? Maybe there's something he doesn't want us to know."
Liam shook his head. "I'm planning to. But every time I think I'm getting somewhere, he's one step ahead, slipping out of reach."
Darren was silent for a moment, tapping his fingers thoughtfully against the desk. "I'll look into his records. We don't want someone with hidden motives getting close to the company, or to you."
Liam nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Darren. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but… something feels wrong."
Darren placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We'll get to the bottom of this. Just keep an eye on him, and don't let him know you're suspicious."
As Darren left, Liam felt a renewed sense of purpose. Whatever secrets Noah was hiding, he would find out. But he had to be careful—if the warning call was anything to go by, uncovering the truth could be risky.
The following day, Liam went about his morning routine, though he couldn't shake the sense of tension simmering beneath the surface. When Noah arrived, he looked as calm and polished as ever, his presence almost unnervingly serene. Liam decided to keep his distance, watching Noah's every move with fresh eyes.
Around mid-morning, Noah knocked on Liam's door, holding a small folder.
"Mr. Cross, here are the reports you asked for," Noah said, his voice soft but confident as he entered.
Liam took the folder, keeping his tone businesslike. "Thank you, Noah. Have you had any trouble settling in?"
Noah smiled faintly. "Not at all. It's been… enlightening."
Liam felt a prickle of unease at Noah's choice of words but tried to appear unaffected. "Good. I expect nothing less from my staff."
Noah's eyes flicked to the corner of the office, where a painting of Liam's late father hung on the wall. The elder Cross had been a respected businessman, and Liam kept the painting as a reminder of the legacy he was building. But when Noah's gaze lingered on it for a bit too long, Liam couldn't help but feel a strange discomfort.
"Did you know my father?" Liam asked, testing for any reaction.
Noah's smile didn't falter, but there was something in his eyes, a flicker of emotion that quickly disappeared. "No, but I've read a lot about him. He was quite… inspiring."
Liam's curiosity only deepened. "Yes, he was. Left big shoes to fill."
"I can imagine," Noah replied, his voice barely above a whisper. He straightened, his usual composure returning. "If that's all, Mr. Cross, I'll be at my desk."
Liam watched him go, a feeling of unease gnawing at him. He couldn't shake the sensation that Noah's interest in his family, and specifically his father, was more than casual. But why? Did he have some connection to the elder Cross?
Just as Liam was about to return to his work, his computer pinged with a new email. He opened it, seeing an anonymous sender with a short, cryptic message:
"Check his past. Look closer."
Liam's heart thudded as he glanced toward Noah's desk. Someone was feeding him warnings, nudging him toward secrets that seemed to swirl around Noah like a shadow. The email didn't offer much, but it confirmed what he already suspected—Noah's past held answers, and whoever was sending these messages knew something Liam didn't.
The day dragged on, but Liam couldn't keep his focus. Every glance at Noah felt like a reminder of the unanswered questions. By the time the office was emptying out for the day, he was almost grateful for the silence, needing space to think.
Just as he prepared to leave, Darren appeared at his door, his face unusually grim.
"I found something," Darren said, handing Liam a printout. "It's not much, but… look at this."
Liam scanned the paper, his heart rate quickening. It was a report from a small town several hours away. The headline read: "Mysterious Accident Claims Family, Leaves One Survivor."
The details were sparse, but one line stood out: Noah Rivers, age 16, survived the accident and was relocated to a foster home shortly afterward.
Liam's mind raced as he tried to piece it all together. Was Noah seeking revenge? Did he blame Liam's family for what happened to his own?
"Why didn't he mention this?" Liam muttered, feeling his suspicions grow darker. "If he has a vendetta, he shouldn't be here."
Darren's face remained serious. "There's more. His records go blank after he turned 18. No job history, no addresses, nothing until he started at Cross Publishing. It's like he disappeared, then reappeared right under your nose."
Liam's grip tightened on the paper. "So he's hiding something… maybe even his identity."
Before he could ask Darren to dig further, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was another unknown number, and a chill crept down his spine as he answered.
A distorted voice crackled through the line, sounding almost robotic. "Mr. Cross, you've scratched the surface. But don't dig deeper unless you're ready to pay the price."
The line went dead.
Liam lowered the phone, a mix of anger and fear boiling within him.