THE HEIRESS VOW - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: The Hidden Connection
Ava’s estate sprawled beneath the golden light of the setting sun, its manicured gardens and grand architecture bathed in an almost ethereal glow. Liam stood beside Ava on the terrace, the weight of their recent discoveries pressing down on them.

“I can’t believe we’re back here, retracing steps we thought we left behind,” Ava murmured, her eyes scanning the horizon as if seeking answers in the distance. Her usually composed demeanor was fraying, hints of vulnerability slipping through.

Liam placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “We need to see this through, Ava. Henry Dalton’s plans didn’t die with him. Someone else is pulling the strings now, and we need to find out who.”

Ava nodded, her resolve hardening. “Let’s start in the study. All of Henry’s old files are still there. Maybe we missed something before.”

Inside, the study was a shrine to Ava’s late father. Shelves lined with books, a mahogany desk neatly arranged, and framed photographs capturing moments of a happier past. Ava crossed to the desk, pulling out drawers with a determination that spoke of her need for closure.

Liam joined her, rifling through papers and old journals. “Look for anything that stands out. Letters, phone records, anything that might point us in the right direction.”

Minutes turned into hours, the room growing darker as the sun dipped below the horizon. Just as frustration threatened to overtake them, Liam’s fingers brushed against an envelope hidden beneath a false bottom in one of the drawers.

“Ava, look at this,” he said, pulling out the envelope. It was old and worn, the seal long broken.

Ava took it from him, her hands trembling slightly as she opened it. Inside were letters, each one revealing more about her father’s dealings. As she read, her face paled.

“It’s him,” she whispered. “The competitor. He was involved with Henry all along.”

Liam’s jaw tightened. “We need to find out who this person is and what their endgame might be.”

Ava nodded, her resolve renewed. “We will. But first, we need more information. There’s a research facility Henry mentioned in these letters. It’s where he conducted most of his secret projects.”

They drove in silence, the tension between them thickening with every mile. The facility loomed ahead, a stark contrast to Ava’s elegant estate. It was a cold, imposing structure, surrounded by a high fence topped with barbed wire.

Liam picked the lock with practiced ease, and they slipped inside. The facility was eerily quiet, their footsteps echoing in the empty halls. They made their way to the central lab, where Henry’s files indicated the most important projects were kept.

“Over here,” Liam said, pointing to a locked cabinet. Ava used the key they found in Henry’s desk, and the cabinet swung open to reveal rows of neatly organized files.

They worked quickly, scanning documents and taking photographs. Suddenly, a noise from the hallway made them freeze. Someone was coming.

“Hide,” Ava hissed, shoving Liam behind a large storage unit. She ducked behind a desk just as the door swung open.

Two men entered, their conversation halting as they noticed the open cabinet. “Someone’s been here,” one of them said, his voice tinged with suspicion.

The other man nodded, pulling out a phone. “We need to alert the boss. He won’t be happy about this.”

Ava’s heart pounded in her chest. She caught Liam’s eye, signaling for him to stay hidden. The men left as abruptly as they arrived, leaving the door ajar in their haste.

“We need to go, now,” Liam whispered, emerging from his hiding place. “They’ll be back with reinforcements.”

They slipped out of the facility, their hearts racing. Once safely back in the car, they shared a look of grim determination.

“We have what we need,” Ava said, clutching the files they managed to grab. “Now it’s time to confront this competitor.”

Back at the estate, they pored over the documents, piecing together the puzzle. Each revelation brought them closer to the truth. The competitor, a man named Richard Morgan, had been orchestrating events from the shadows, using Henry as a pawn in his larger game.

“He’s been behind everything,” Liam said, disbelief coloring his tone. “Every setback, every obstacle we faced—it was all him.”

Ava’s eyes blazed with fury. “He manipulated my father, and now he’s coming after us. We need to take him down.”

They spent the next few days gathering evidence and formulating a plan. Their bond strengthened through their shared resolve, each moment of vulnerability turning into a pillar of strength.

The night before their planned confrontation, Ava couldn’t sleep. She stood by the window, staring out into the darkness. Liam joined her, offering silent support.

“We’ll get through this,” he said softly. “Together.”

Ava turned to him, her eyes reflecting a mix of fear and determination. “I know. But I can’t help feeling like something big is about to happen.”

Liam took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. “Whatever it is, we’ll face it head-on.”

The next morning dawned with an eerie calm. As they prepared to leave, Ava’s phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number. She read it, her face draining of color.

“What is it?” Liam asked, concern etched in his features.

“It’s Richard,” Ava said, her voice barely above a whisper. “He knows about our plan. And he’s already made his move.”

Liam’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

Ava handed him the phone, the message clear: “Your closest allies are my targets now. Good luck, Ava.”

As the reality of Richard’s threat sank in, a steely resolve settled over Ava. “We need to warn them. Now.”

They rushed to contact their allies, hoping they weren’t too late. The clock was ticking, and the stakes had never been higher. The fight against Richard Morgan was just beginning, and Ava knew that only by standing together could they hope to emerge victorious.