Episode 8: a daughter's betrayal

A DAUGHTER'S BETRAYAL

That evening, Isabella returned to the mansion with one mission: find out what her father had hidden.

She went straight to the study.

Drawers. Cabinets. Bookshelves.

Nothing.

Then she remembered her mother's letter.

Never let Adrian discover what your father kept hidden.

She searched the desk again and noticed a loose wooden panel beneath the bottom drawer.

Behind it was a small black box.

Inside lay an old photograph, a gold necklace, and a sealed envelope.

The photograph showed her father standing outside a hospital.

Beside him was a woman holding a newborn baby.

On the back, someone had written:

Isabella Hayes — October 14.

Isabella stared at the date.

The same date Eleanor had mentioned.

Her hands trembled as she opened the envelope.

There was only one sentence inside.

The daughter you raised is not the daughter you were given.

Isabella stopped breathing for a moment.

What did it mean?

Was the letter referring to her?

Before she could examine it further, she heard footsteps.

Adrian stood at the study entrance.

His gaze fell on the black box.

Then on the letter in her hand.

For the first time, Isabella saw genuine fear in his eyes.

"Where did you find that?" he asked.

She held up the letter.

"Tell me the truth, Adrian. Who am I?"

He opened his mouth to answer.

But before he could speak, his phone rang.

An unknown number.

He answered.

A distorted voice came through the speaker.

"You have until midnight."

Adrian's face went pale.

"Who is this?"

The voice laughed.

"Ask your wife who her real mother is."

The call ended.

Isabella slowly turned toward Adrian.

And for the first time, the billionaire had absolutely nothing to say