Ava couldn't move.
The phone was still in her hand.
But her mind was somewhere else.
Because the voice she heard...
The voice she trusted...
The voice she never imagined could hurt her...
Was the one behind everything.
Damien watched her carefully.
"Ava."
She didn't answer.
"Ava, who was it?"
Slowly, she looked up.
And he saw it.
The pain.
Not fear.
Not anger.
Pain.
"It was..."
Her voice broke.
"My aunt."
The room went silent.
Everyone knew Ava Bennett's aunt.
The woman who raised her after her parents were gone.
The woman who held her when she cried.
The woman who helped her rebuild her life.
The woman Ava believed was the closest thing she had to family.
"No."
Daniel whispered.
He looked like the news had destroyed him.
"That can't be."
Ava looked at him.
"You knew her."
Daniel closed his eyes.
"Yes."
"Who was she?"
Nobody answered.
Then Alexander spoke.
"Her name is Victoria."
Ava froze.
"Victoria Bennett."
The name sounded different now.
Like a stranger's name.
Not family.
Not home.
"Why would she do this?"
Daniel looked away.
"Because your mother discovered what she was."
Ava's heart stopped.
"My mother?"
Alexander nodded.
"Your mother and Victoria were sisters."
The pieces started falling.
"But why?"
Daniel looked at her.
"Because your mother was chosen."
"Chosen for what?"
Alexander answered:
"To protect the secret."
Ava shook her head.
"I don't understand."
Damien stepped closer.
"You don't have to understand everything tonight."
She looked at him.
"How can I not?"
Her voice cracked.
"My whole life is a lie."
And for once...
Damien had no words.
Because he knew that feeling.
He had lived it.
The board meeting continued.
The world was watching.
Investors were panicking.
The company was falling.
And somewhere...
Victoria Bennett was making her move.
A message appeared on Damien's screen.
From the unknown number.
COME ALONE.
Below it was an address.
Ava saw it.
"No."
Damien looked at her.
"I wasn't asking."
"You were thinking about going."
He stayed silent.
She knew him too well now.
"Damien, this is exactly what they want."
"I need answers."
"And walking into a trap will give them exactly that."
His eyes met hers.
"You think I don't know that?"
"Then why?"
A pause.
"Because if something happens to you because of this..."
He stopped.
The words stayed unfinished.
But Ava understood.
For the first time...
Damien wasn't talking about the company.
He wasn't talking about revenge.
He was talking about her.
An hour later...
They arrived together.
Ava crossed her arms.
"You know, for someone who hates needing people..."
Damien glanced at her.
"You talk a lot."
She almost smiled.
"That was almost a joke."
"It wasn't."
"It was."
A small silence.
Then Damien said:
"Thank you."
Ava looked at him.
"For what?"
"For staying."
The answer surprised her.
Because Damien Laurent wasn't someone who asked people to stay.
He was someone who expected them to leave.
Before she could respond...
The door opened.
Victoria Bennett stood there.
Elegant.
Calm.
Unbothered.
The woman Ava knew.
And the woman she no longer recognized.
"Hello, Ava."
Ava stared.
"Why?"
Victoria sighed.
"Because I had no choice."
Ava laughed bitterly.
"Everyone says that."
Victoria looked at Damien.
"You really brought him."
Damien stepped forward.
"You used her."
Victoria looked at him.
"I protected her."
Ava shook her head.
"You don't get to say that."
Victoria's expression softened.
"You don't know the truth."
"Then tell me."
Silence.
Then Victoria said:
"Your mother didn't die naturally."
The world stopped.
Ava's face went pale.
"What?"
Damien looked at Victoria.
"What did you say?"
Victoria looked at Ava.
"Your mother was killed because she discovered the truth."
Ava's breathing became uneven.
"Who killed her?"
Victoria looked at Damien.
Then back at Ava.
And whispered:
"The same person who killed my sister."
Ava froze.
"Who?"
Victoria's eyes filled with tears.
Then she said the name.
The name nobody expected.
The name that would destroy the last bit of trust they had.
"The person you called your protector..."
A pause.
"Your father.