The next morning dawned with an uneasy stillness, the kind that seeped into Sophie's bones. The Harper estate was unusually quiet, as though the sprawling mansion itself was holding its breath. She sat at the edge of her bed, staring at the screen of her phone, Victor's last message burning into her thoughts: Be careful who you trust.
Her gaze drifted to the folder she had hidden beneath her suitcase. Grove Holdings. The name alone sent a shiver down her spine. She needed answers, and the one person who might be willing to give them was the last person she wanted to ask.
Ethan was in the billiard room, leaning over the table as he lined up a shot. The crisp crack of the cue ball broke the silence as Sophie entered. He glanced up, his smirk forming before she said a word.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Ethan asked, straightening.
Sophie closed the door behind her, her hands clenched at her sides. "I need your help."
He raised an eyebrow, setting the cue stick aside. "That's new. You usually seem allergic to the idea."
"This isn't a game, Ethan," she said sharply, stepping closer. "I need to know everything about Grove Holdings."
Ethan's expression shifted, the teasing glint in his eyes replaced by something darker. He gestured toward the leather armchairs near the fireplace. "You might want to sit down for this."
Sophie hesitated before sinking into one of the chairs, her pulse quickening. Ethan sat across from her, his gaze steady.
"Grove Holdings is a shell company," he began. "It exists to move money—illegally, quietly. It's been linked to laundering funds for questionable deals, offshore accounts, and acquisitions that no one in their right mind would approve if they knew the truth."
Her chest tightened. "And Maxwell?"
"He's the puppet master," Ethan said, his tone grim. "Every major transaction passes through him. But he's careful—he makes sure his hands never get dirty. It's all proxies and scapegoats."
Sophie's breath hitched. "Why would he do this? The Harpers are already wealthy beyond belief."
Ethan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Because it's not just about money. It's about power. Control. Maxwell doesn't care about wealth—he cares about owning everything and everyone."
The weight of Ethan's words pressed down on Sophie as they lapsed into silence. She wanted to scream, to run, to shake Maxwell and demand answers. Instead, she clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay composed.
"What happens if this comes out?" she asked quietly.
"The Harper name crumbles," Ethan said bluntly. "Businesses collapse. Reputations are destroyed. And everyone tied to this family gets dragged down with it."
Sophie's stomach churned. She thought of Daniel, so blissfully unaware of the dark underbelly of his family's empire. Would he be caught in the fallout? Would she?
"I can't let that happen," she murmured, more to herself than to Ethan.
Ethan's gaze sharpened. "Then you need to decide where you stand."
Sophie met his eyes, her resolve hardening. "I need proof. Something concrete."
Ethan nodded slowly. "I might be able to help with that."
That night, Sophie lay awake in her bed, staring at the ceiling. Her mind buzzed with everything Ethan had told her. She couldn't stay silent—not when the consequences of Maxwell's actions could destroy everything. But she didn't know how to proceed without endangering herself or Daniel.
A soft knock at her door startled her. She sat up, her pulse quickening as she called out, "Who is it?"
"It's me," Daniel's voice came through the door.
Her heart sank. "Come in."
Daniel stepped inside, his expression concerned. He closed the door behind him and approached the bed. "You've been distant lately," he said gently. "What's going on?"
Sophie opened her mouth, the urge to spill everything rising in her throat. But the image of Maxwell's icy stare, Charlotte's subtle threats, and Ethan's warnings stopped her.
"I've just been overwhelmed," she said finally, forcing a weak smile. "The wedding, the family—it's a lot."
Daniel sat beside her, taking her hand in his. "I know my family can be... intense. But you don't have to deal with it alone. We're in this together."
His sincerity made her chest ache. She wanted to believe him, to trust that he could stand by her if he knew the truth. But as much as she loved him, a small voice in her head whispered that he might not be strong enough to face what was coming.
The next day, Sophie received a text from Ethan: Meet me in the garage. Midnight.
She stared at the message, her chest tightening. She didn't trust Ethan completely, but he was her best shot at uncovering the truth. When the clock struck midnight, she slipped out of her room and made her way to the garage.
Ethan was waiting by a sleek black car, leaning against the hood with his arms crossed. He straightened when he saw her, his expression serious.
"What is this?" she asked, her voice low.
"Proof," Ethan replied, opening the car door. "Get in."
Sophie hesitated, but the promise of answers outweighed her fear. She slid into the passenger seat, and Ethan started the engine, pulling out of the estate.
They drove in silence, the city lights flashing past as they left the Harper estate behind. After about twenty minutes, Ethan turned down a narrow road, pulling up to a small, nondescript office building. He parked the car and turned to Sophie.
"Stay close to me," he said firmly. "And don't touch anything."
Sophie nodded, her nerves fraying as they stepped inside. The building was dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of old paper and dust. Ethan led her to a room at the back, where a man in his forties sat behind a cluttered desk. He looked up as they entered, his sharp eyes narrowing.
"This her?" the man asked, nodding toward Sophie.
"She's with me," Ethan said. "Show her what you found."
The man gestured for them to approach, pulling out a file from a drawer. He spread the documents across the desk, pointing to highlighted sections. Sophie leaned in, her eyes scanning the pages. The transactions were damning, linking Grove Holdings to illegal activities that could bury the Harpers if exposed.
"This is it," she whispered, her heart racing.
Ethan's jaw tightened. "Now you understand what we're dealing with."
As they left the building, Sophie felt a mixture of relief and dread. She had the proof she needed, but the danger was greater than ever. The Harpers wouldn't let this go unanswered if they found out what she was doing.
In the car, Ethan glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "You've crossed a line, Sophie. There's no turning back now."
"I know," she said quietly, her resolve firm.
As they drove back to the estate, Sophie stared out the window, her mind racing. She had taken the first step toward exposing the truth, but she had no idea how far she would have to go—or what it would cost her.
And somewhere deep down, she knew the Harpers wouldn't go down without a fight