Chapter 2: The Secret Buried Beneath the Mansion
Richard insisted they return to the gala.
Danny refused.
Instead, he took the old woman to his private office on the top floor.
She introduced herself.
"My name is Eleanor."
The name struck Danny like lightning.
That was the same name written on the faded birth bracelet hidden inside the box his adoptive father had forbidden him to open.
Danny unlocked the safe.
Inside lay a small wooden box.
For thirty years, he had never understood why his adoptive father had hidden it.
Now he finally opened it.
Inside were three items.
A hospital bracelet.
A faded family photograph.
And a newspaper clipping.
The headline read:
"Young Mother Dies in House Fire."
Eleanor stared at it.
"I never died."
Danny looked closer.
The article contained no body.
No funeral.
No witnesses.
Only one statement.
Provided by Richard Hale.
Danny's blood froze.
At that moment, Richard entered the office without knocking.
"I can explain."
Danny stood.
"No."
"You can tell me why you declared my mother dead."
Richard lowered his head.
"I wasn't protecting myself."
"I was protecting you."
Danny's anger exploded.
"From what?"
Richard slowly reached into his briefcase.
He removed a thick folder.
Across the front were two words.
Project Phoenix.
Inside were adoption records.
Medical reports.
Bank transfers.
And one signature appeared again...
Victor Crawford.
The billionaire who had raised Danny.
The man Danny believed had rescued him.
Richard whispered,
May you like
"Victor didn't save you."
"He bought you."
