Chapter 8: Mystery of Identity
1580words
"Emily," he said, sliding into his seat and taking my hand, "something's bothering you."
"We need to talk," I said, meeting his gaze directly. "About us."
His expression tightened immediately. "What's wrong? Is everything okay?"
"Richard," I began, taking a measured breath, "we've been together for three months, yet I realize I know almost nothing about you. Your family, for instance—you've never mentioned them."
His hand tensed slightly in mine before relaxing. "My family... is rather ordinary. Nothing worth mentioning."
"Really?" I pressed. "Then why does William Montgomery treat you so... differently? What's the real story between you two?"
Richard's expression clouded. "Emily, corporate politics are complicated. William and I simply... occupy different positions in the company."
"Is that all there is to it?" I challenged. "Nothing more personal?"
He hesitated, clearly weighing his options. "Fine. Since you're so determined to know. William is James Montgomery's legitimate son, and I..."
"And you're his illegitimate son," I finished bluntly.
Richard stared at me, visibly stunned. "How could you possibly know that?"
"I have my sources," I replied, echoing William's cryptic style. "So you approached me to prove yourself to James by exploiting my father's company?"
"No, Emily, that's not it at all!" he protested desperately. "Yes, there were business considerations initially, but I genuinely fell in love with you. I swear to God!"
I laughed coldly. "Is that so? Then explain your obsessive interest in my father's company. Explain why you pushed so hard for that supplementary clause that would have disadvantaged Reed Technologies."
The color drained from Richard's face. "You've been... investigating me?"
"I simply started paying attention to facts instead of being blinded by pretty words," I replied evenly.
At that precise moment, William Montgomery appeared at the restaurant entrance. He wasn't alone—beside him stood an elegant middle-aged woman. Spotting us, he feigned surprise before approaching our table.
"Richard, Miss Reed—what a coincidence," William said with a measured smile. "Allow me to introduce my mother, Mrs. Montgomery."
Richard's face went ashen. Mrs. Montgomery nodded gracefully. "Hello, Richard. It's been quite some time."
The atmosphere instantly chilled. Richard rose awkwardly to his feet and managed a stiff nod. "Mrs. Montgomery."
"We won't intrude on your evening," William said smoothly, guiding his mother to a table across the restaurant.
Richard collapsed back into his seat, his expression thunderous. "You planned this."
"Planned what?" I asked innocently.
"You chose this restaurant knowing William would bring his mother," he hissed through clenched teeth. "Are you and William conspiring against me?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," I said, maintaining my facade. "I just wanted to discuss our relationship."
Richard inhaled deeply, visibly struggling for control. "Emily, please hear me out. Yes, I'm James Montgomery's illegitimate son, but that has nothing to do with how I feel about you. I love you—that's the honest truth."
"If you truly love me," I said, holding his gaze, "then be honest about one more thing. What's your real relationship with Sophie Wilson?"
He flinched visibly. "What are you talking about? She's your best friend. We barely know each other."
"Just acquaintances?" I scoffed. "Then explain why she was trying to access my father's briefcase and phone last night."
Richard's expression froze. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Enough with the act, Richard." I stood up abruptly. "I know everything. You approached me solely to gain access to my father's company, and Sophie has been your accomplice all along."
"Emily, you've got it all wrong!" He clutched at my hand desperately. "Yes, there were business considerations at first, but I genuinely fell for you. As for Sophie—I have no idea what she's up to."
I yanked my hand free. "Save it. We're finished."
As I turned to leave, I caught William and his mother observing the scene. Something flickered in Mrs. Montgomery's eyes—an emotion I couldn't quite identify.
Outside the restaurant, I drew in a deep breath of night air. The confrontation had gone even better than planned. Richard's true identity was exposed, and I'd planted seeds of doubt about his relationship with Sophie. Now I just needed to watch their alliance crumble.
When I arrived home, Dad was waiting in the living room.
"Emily," he said gravely, "someone just attempted to breach our company's security system to access project data."
I felt a surge of adrenaline. "Did you identify them?"
"Not specifically, but we traced the IP address," Dad said, his expression darkening. "It originated from Montgomery Enterprises."
"Richard Carter," I said immediately.
Dad looked at me, startled. "How could you possibly know that?"
"Dad, I need to tell you something," I said, steeling myself. "About Richard Carter, this project, and... my relationship with him."
I explained Richard's true motives in pursuing me and his likely conspiracy with Sophie. Naturally, I omitted any mention of my rebirth, attributing my discoveries to careful observation and investigation.
After hearing me out, Dad's face contorted with anger. "That manipulative bastard! Using my daughter as a pawn in his corporate game!"
"Dad, stay calm," I said, taking his hand. "What matters is we've uncovered his scheme. Now we need to counterattack."
"How do we fight back?"
"First, beef up our cybersecurity to prevent further breaches," I said methodically. "Second, gather concrete evidence of Richard's hacking attempt. Finally, when the moment is right, make everything public."
Dad stared at me with newfound respect. "Emily, when did you become so... strategic?"
"Maybe I always was," I smiled faintly. "Just never had reason to show it before."
Just then, my phone chimed with a message from William: "Impressive performance tonight. Richard is unraveling. On another note, my mother would like to meet with you. Are you available tomorrow?"
I hesitated briefly before replying: "Yes. When and where?"
"Tomorrow at 3 PM at the Montgomery estate. I'll send a car for you."
I agreed, though questions swirled in my mind. Why did Mrs. Montgomery want to meet me? What hidden history connected our families?
The following afternoon, a sleek black luxury car pulled up precisely on time. The driver opened the door with practiced deference. "Miss Reed, Mr. Montgomery has asked me to escort you to the Montgomery estate."
An hour later, we passed through imposing gates into a stunning estate that masterfully blended classical grandeur with modern elegance. William waited at the entrance, offering a slight smile as I approached. "Thank you for coming."
"Why does your mother want to see me?" I asked without preamble.
"She prefers to explain that herself," William replied enigmatically, leading me through the mansion to an elegantly appointed sitting room.
Mrs. Montgomery was already there, poised gracefully on a silk-upholstered sofa. She rose as we entered, a warm smile softening her features. "Miss Reed, at last we meet properly."
"Mrs. Montgomery," I greeted her with appropriate formality.
"Please, call me Aunt Elizabeth," she said, gesturing to a chair opposite her. "Do you have any idea why I wanted to meet you?"
I shook my head. "None whatsoever."
"Because you remind me of someone," she said, her expression growing wistful. "Someone who once meant the world to me."
"Who?" I asked.
"Your mother, Susan Reed."
I stared at her, genuinely surprised. "You knew my mother?"
"We weren't merely acquaintances—we were best friends," she said with a sigh. "Until that terrible incident twenty years ago..."
"What incident?" I leaned forward, suddenly eager.
Elizabeth glanced at William, who gave a subtle nod. "Twenty years ago, your father and James were business partners. Everything was proceeding wonderfully until... certain misunderstandings arose. The partnership collapsed, and your mother and I drifted apart as a result."
"What kind of misunderstandings?"
"Well..." Elizabeth hesitated visibly. "That might be something better discussed with your father."
I felt a pang of disappointment, but Elizabeth suddenly reached for my hand. "Emily, I'm so pleased to see the remarkable young woman you've become—intelligent and courageous. Your mother would be immensely proud."
"Thank you," I replied sincerely. Despite my lingering questions, her genuine warmth was unmistakable.
As we left the sitting room, William accompanied me toward the entrance. "I apologize for my mother's vagueness."
"It's fine," I said, shaking my head. "But do you know anything about this mysterious 'misunderstanding'?"
William was quiet for a moment. "I only know that after that failed venture, my father has carried a profound sense of guilt toward your family. This current partnership is, in many ways, his attempt at making amends."
"Then why is Richard so determined to undermine this partnership?"
"Because he doesn't know the full story," William explained. "He sees only an opportunity to prove himself, not the complex history behind it."
I nodded, though questions continued to multiply in my mind. The relationship between our families was clearly far more complicated than I'd initially understood.
On the drive home, my phone buzzed with a message from Sophie: "Emily! Just heard about you and Richard! What happened? Need a shoulder to cry on?"
I laughed coldly and typed: "Thanks, but I need some space right now."
Sophie's response came instantly: "Don't shut me out! What are best friends for? I'm coming over tonight, no arguments!"
I knew her real motives: first, to gather intelligence; second, to ensure I wouldn't expose her connection to Richard.
"Fine. See you tonight," I replied, already formulating my next move.
