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Chapter 8: Buried Secrets (Emily’s POV)

It was too hectic in Jack's office. It had been building since I entered, and now that Ethan was staring at me from the opposite side of the room, it seemed like it may erupt. The modern office, with its polished wood furnishings and leather seats, felt less like a conversation room and more like a battlefield.

Seated on one of the velvety chairs, Katherine Monroe exuded confidence. Her cool blue eyes studied the scene as if she were only a bystander to the mayhem going on around her. Ethan, on the other hand, felt like a spring that was poised to burst. Ben, his closest friend, was lounging against the distant wall and viewing the entire event with his customary laid-back expression, but even he appeared uneasy.

Jack was focusing hard as he shuffled through a pile of documents while sat at his desk. In an attempt to make sense of the most recent discoveries surrounding Henry Monroe's inheritance, he had organized this meeting. However, all we'd managed to do thus far was heighten the stress.

With a disgruntled tone, Ethan commented, "Let's just get this over with." He gave me a short glance, his suspicions evident. "I'm curious as to why she's involved."

His tone irritated me, but I was too tired to react. With him, it was always the same: I was continually being accused of influencing the circumstance. The fact that I was equally bewildered as he was made no difference. I was the stranger, the threat, to Ethan.

Jack sought to keep composure by replying, "Ethan, we're all here to figure that out. The reason Emily was mentioned in Henry's will remains a mystery to many."

Ethan shot out, "Yeah, and none of them have been answered."

I bit my lip to prevent from shouting at him. I was sick of his anger and weary of being portrayed as a villain while not knowing why any of this was taking place.

Katherine didn't say anything, her fingers tapping quietly on the chair's armrest. Since our arrival, she had stayed mute and had only given me frigid, scornful stares whenever I spoke. She plainly thought less of me, but I couldn't figure out why.

Ben cleared his throat, ever the joker. "Come on, Ethan. Perhaps she's as taken aback as you are. Who wouldn't be startled, after all, to unexpectedly acquire a share of the Monroe fortune? "

Ben brushed off Ethan's glance, seemingly unconcerned by his friend's fury. "Just allow her some space to talk. Perhaps there's something that none of us have. "

Although I appreciated Ben's effort to alleviate the situation, the sharp edge in the room remained unabated.

Before anyone could comment, Jack's PC made a loud ding sound. He stopped and stared at the screen. He mumbled, "Pardon me for a moment," as he clicked on the email alert. He opened the mail, and the soft clacking of his computer filled the silence.

We were all waiting, and the air in the room felt heavy. As Jack read the email, his countenance shifted from surprise to shock, and his fingers stopped pushing the keys. His expression hardened, and it appeared as though he was at a loss for words.

"What's that?" With an impatient tone that broke the tension, Ethan asked.

Jack took a moment to look up. His attention never left the screen, and when he did say something, it was with a sad tone. "We just learned something new about Henry."

Everyone rose up, the atmosphere in the room increasing gloomier by the time.

"What sort of information?" Ethan persevered, his skepticism rising.

Clearly reluctant to disclose whatever bombshell had just arrived in his inbox, Jack let out a big exhale. "It's... tough. Henry's success is significantly more complicated than we first imagined. He was engaged in a possibly dangerous activity."

A beat skipped in my heart. Dangerous? What was meant by that?

Though Katherine's countenance maintained bland, something flared in her eyes. Though it was gone before I could read it, I could not help but feel concerned at her lack of shock.

"What in the world are you saying?" With a searing wrath, Ethan demanded. "In what did he get involved?"

Jack sat back in his chair, his face solemn. "We received a file from a person linked with an organization Henry was a part of. Not all of it is business. Henry has connections to unlawful enterprises, extortion, and blackmail. He wasn't just wealthy through legitimate means."

The statements fell hard in the room. Ethan's jaw pinched in disbelief as I watched his hands clamp at his sides. Ben no longer had his customary smile; instead, he was shocked.

Ethan shook his head, refusing to accept. "That is untrue. My dad wasn't a problem."

Jack didn't lose his calm. "I appreciate that this is tough to understand, but the facts are unequivocal. Henry was involved in several exceedingly dangerous operations that, if discovered, could entirely destroy the Monroe legacy. "

My stomach twisted. I'd been striving to understand why Henry Monroe had included my name in his will for the entire time, but it appears the truth is darker and more intricate than I had thought.

I jumped when Ethan slapped his fist down on the table. "You're saying that everything my father stood for and everything we created was founded on lies?"

With a forceful voice, Jack stated, "I'm telling you that there were things your father kept hidden. And those secrets are coming to light now that he's gone."

Ethan's face of amazement was apparent, as was his difficulty understanding what Jack was saying. Ethan had dedicated his entire life to protecting the legacy of his family, and now everything he had ever believed to be true was being destroyed in front of him.

Ethan ran a hand through his hair clearly broken, "I can't believe this. There must be some sort of error here."

Jack gave a headshake. "Ethan, I wish it were. However, this email is merely the start. There is so much more that we don't yet know."

I took a big breath, my thoughts racing. What was it that Henry Monroe had become entangled in? Why had he involved me in it, too?

Ethan turned to face me, uncertainty and wrath in his eyes. His voice was severe as he demanded, "What do you know about this? hmmm? What made him offer you a share of his estate? Did you participate in this? "

Startled by the accusation, I fastened my gaze on him. "I have no idea of this!”

"What made him leave you money, then?" Ethan exerted pressure. "There must be a reason. There must be a relationship."

"I'm not sure!" With a growl of wrath, I fired back. "Like you, I'm trying to figure it out!"

As Ethan opened his mouth to reply, Katherine's voice rang across the room.

"Enough."

Although her tone was calm, there was a trace of sharpness that compelled everyone to stop talking. With a methodical walk and straightening of her clothing, she rose up and moved to the center of the room, her shoes delicately tapping the floor.

Her tone was cool and collected as she stated, "There's no need to fight over this. Henry ran business on his own. He did everything he could for the family. And we'll handle the consequences now that he's not around."

With wide eyes of amazement, Ethan locked his gaze on her. "You know? You were aware of his actions."

Katherine maintained a steady stare and a non-readable expression. "I had sufficient knowledge."

I got a shiver from what she said. Why was she so composed? Knowing what Henry had done, how could she just sit there and act like it never happened?

Anger twisted Ethan's face. "You knew he was engaging in illicit activity, but you took no action?"

Katherine remained unmoved. "Henry made his decisions. He operated in the family's best interest. It is now our obligation to pick up the mess."

There was a stunned stillness in the room. Her statements were dragging on all of us, and I could feel it. Katherine did not find it shocking. She was not perplexed. She had concealed the truth that she had known all along.

Ethan shook his head, furiously saying in a low voice. "This family is based on lies."

When Katherine's gaze switched to his, I realized something was slightly off her controlled manner for the first time. "Ethan, every family has secrets. They are not much different from ours."

Heart palpitating, I locked my sight on her. Katherine was keeping a great deal more information from us. Upon examining the chamber, it dawned on me that Katherine was aware to all of Henry's secrets.

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