Sir, do you need a maid? I can do anything – my daughter is starving.” I froze when the woman looked up. It was my wife, missing for two years, our one-year-old child sleeping soundly in her arms.

Part 2
I left Lena and Grace with two retired federal agents, then entered the Ashford ballroom.

Mother stood beneath a chandelier. Beside her was Victor Hale, our chief financial officer—and the man my investigators suspected had helped erase Lena.

“There is my grieving son,” Mother announced. “Late again.”

Laughter moved around the table.

I lowered my eyes. “Sorry, Mother.”

For two years, I had let her call me unstable and strip away my authority. She mistook patience for surrender.

She pushed a folder toward me.

“Sign these restructuring documents. Victor and I will manage the company permanently.”

Victor leaned closer. “You’re not built for difficult decisions, Daniel. Tragedy ruined your judgment.”

I turned the pen between my fingers. “Perhaps you’re right.”