The Stolen Idea

Aidan woke up early the next morning, his head still buzzing with thoughts about the strange key and the scary photo from last night. But today was too important to worry about that now. Today, he would finally show his brother the company plan he had worked so hard on.

Sunshine poured through the windows of Brew & Chew, their favorite morning spot. Aidan got there first and picked their usual corner table. He couldn't stop tapping his foot as he waited.

"Someone's excited this morning," said Asher, moving into the seat across from Aidan. Even though they had the same face, Asher somehow always looked more rested, more confident.

"I finished it, Ash," Aidan said, pulling a blue folder from his bag. "The green energy project. It's perfect."

The waitress brought their regular orders without asking – black coffee for Aidan, sweet caramel latte with extra whipped cream for Asher.

"Let me see it," Asher said, grabbing for the folder. He flipped through the pages, his eyes getting wider. "This is... wow, Aid. This could change everything."

Aidan couldn't help but smile. "I know! We could cut energy costs by thirty percent. The numbers are solid."

"And Dad's always talking about wanting good press," Asher added. "This would make Carter Enterprises look amazing."

"So you'll help me? You'll back me up when I give it to Dad and the board tomorrow?" Aidan asked, trying not to sound too hopeful.

Asher looked up from the papers. "Of course I will. This is great work." He tapped the box. "Mind if I keep this? I want to study it more before the meeting."

A small warning bell rang in Aidan's head, but he pushed it away. This was Asher, his brother. The person who knew him better than anyone.

"Sure," Aidan said. "Just don't spill coffee on it."

Asher laughed. "Promise." He put the folder into his own bag. "This is your moment, little brother. Dad will have to notice you now."

The Carter Enterprises boardroom was huge, with a long table that could seat twenty people and windows that showed the whole city. Aidan arrived early, setting up his laptop for the lecture. He hadn't heard from Asher since breakfast yesterday, but that wasn't unusual. Asher was probably out having fun.

One by one, board members filed in. Victor Carter, their father, entered last. Tall and gray-haired, with sharp blue eyes that matched his boys', he nodded at the room but didn't even look at Aidan.

"Let's begin," Victor said, taking his place at the head of the table. "First on the agenda—"

The door burst open, and Asher walked in, wearing a perfectly pressed suit and holding a tablet. "Sorry I'm late," he stated, not looking sorry at all.

"Nice of you to join us, Asher," Victor said, his stern face relaxing into something close to a smile.

"Actually, Dad, I'd like to present something before we start," Asher said. "I've been working on a project that I think will interest everyone."

Aidan's stomach twisted into a knot. No. This couldn't be happening.

"Go ahead," Victor said, leaning back in his chair. "I'm always interested in your ideas."

Asher tapped his tablet, and the big screen at the front of the room lit up with Aidan's show. The same charts. The same numbers. Even the same title: "Carter Enterprises Green Energy Initiative."

"As we all know," Asher began easily, "our company spends millions on energy costs every year..."

Aidan's ears started ringing. He couldn't believe what was happening. His own twin brother was taking his work right in front of him.

"This plan will cut our energy costs by thirty percent while giving us excellent publicity as a green company," Asher continued.

The board members were nodding, looking amazed. Victor leaned forward, actually interested.

"That's my project," Aidan suddenly blurted out. All eyes turned to him. "I showed this to Asher yesterday. This is my work."

The room went quiet. Asher's face showed nothing but surprise.

"Aidan," Victor said coldly, "if this was truly your idea, you would have presented it first."

"But I—" Aidan started.

"This is disappointing," Victor added. "Trying to take credit for your brother's work."

Aidan looked around the room. No one would meet his eyes. They all thought he was lying.

"The numbers don't lie," Aidan said desperately. "Ask him how the numbers work. Ask him anything about the details."

Victor sighed. "That's enough, Aidan. If you don't have anything useful to add, perhaps you should excuse yourself."

Aidan looked at Asher, waiting for his brother to admit the truth. Instead, Asher gave him a small, sad smile, as if he were sorry that Aidan was embarrassing himself.

The deception cut deeper than any knife. Without another word, Aidan grabbed his laptop and walked out, the door closed behind him with a final-sounding click.

Hours later, Aidan sat in a dark corner of The Hideaway, a bar far from the fancy places Asher liked. He was on his second drink, reliving the morning over and over in his head. How could his own brother do this to him?

"Whiskey, neat," said a deep voice at the bar next to him.

Aidan looked up to see a tall man with dark hair and sharp cheekbones. He was wearing an expensive suit that seemed out of place in this dive bar.

The stranger turned, catching Aidan watching. "Rough day?" he asked, his eyes focused.

"You could say that," Aidan mumbled.

The man picked up his drink and moved to Aidan's table without asking. "Let me guess. Someone took something from you. Something important."

Aidan's head snapped up. "How did you—"

"I know a betrayed man when I see one," the stranger said, sliding into the chair across from Aidan. "And I know the Carter twins when I see them too."

"You know who I am?"

The man smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I know a lot of things, Aidan Carter. Including how your brother Asher stole your green energy plan this morning."

A chill ran down Aidan's spine. "Who are you?"

"My name is Elijah Hart." He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small package, sliding it across the table. "And I think we can help each other."

With shaking hands, Aidan opened the envelope. Inside was a picture of Asher and their father, heads close together, talking in Victor's office. The date showed it was taken yesterday, right after Aidan had given Asher his proposal.

"That's not all your father and brother have stolen from you," Elijah said softly. "And I can help you get it all back."

As Aidan stared at the picture, his phone buzzed in his pocket. A text message from an unknown number: "Don't trust the man at your table. He's not who he claims to be. Check the bathroom cabinet when you get home. —A friend"

Aidan looked up at Elijah's waiting face, suddenly unsure which path led to truth and which to more lies.