Chapter 10 - Ethan's Secret
Daniel confronted Ethan that evening.
Ethan refused to speak at first.
Then Daniel placed the recovered files on the table.
Ethan looked at them.
His confidence disappeared.
"You really found it."
"What?"
"The evidence."
"Tell me everything."
Ethan sat down.
"My father worked with Marcus."
"I know."
"He didn't know how deep it went."
"Do you believe that?"
Ethan looked away.
"I don't know anymore."
Daniel studied him.
"Why were you always favored?"
Ethan's eyes filled with regret.
"Because my father needed everyone to believe I was the golden child."
Daniel said nothing.
Ethan continued.
"Your father refused to sign over your career."
"So they used you."
Ethan nodded.
"They told my father that if Richard didn't cooperate, they would expose him."
"And my mother?"
"They threatened her too."
Daniel's expression hardened.
"But she still let me go."
Ethan nodded.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Ethan looked at him.
"Because she made a choice."
Daniel waited.
"She chose to save you."
Daniel laughed bitterly.
"By abandoning me?"
"She believed you would survive."
Daniel stared at him.
Ethan reached into his jacket.
"I have something."
He placed an old key on the table.
"This belonged to your father."
Daniel picked it up.
"What does it open?"
Ethan shook his head.
"I don't know."
"Then why give it to me?"
"Because I think you should find out before they do."
Daniel looked at him.
"Who are they?"
Ethan whispered:
"The people who killed your father's career."
Daniel froze.
"Marcus?"
Ethan shook his head.
"No."
May you like
He looked toward the window.
"Marcus was only working for someone else."
