Chapter 10: The Truth Emerges
1574words
"Mr. Reed, Miss Reed, welcome." James Montgomery rose, shaking Dad's hand warmly before nodding to me. "Thank you for joining us."
"You're most gracious, Mr. Montgomery," Dad replied. "May I ask what matter is so important it requires my daughter's presence?"
"All will become clear shortly." James smiled enigmatically, gesturing toward two empty chairs.
The meeting commenced with James addressing yesterday's incident: "I want to formally apologize for the inappropriate actions taken by someone within our organization. I've instructed HR to handle the matter with the utmost severity." His gaze settled pointedly on Richard as he spoke.
Richard kept his eyes fixed on the table, refusing to meet anyone's gaze.
"Moving forward," James continued, "I have two significant announcements to make."
The room grew still, tension hanging in the air.
"First, concerning our partnership with Reed Technologies, I've decided to substantially increase our investment and extend the collaboration timeline." This announcement triggered a ripple of surprised murmurs around the table.
"Second, and more significantly," James's voice took on a solemn tone, "I am officially naming William Montgomery as my successor and the next chairman of Montgomery Enterprises."
This declaration caused an even greater stir. Richard's head snapped up, his face draining of color.
"Simultaneously," James continued without pause, "I am stripping Richard Carter of all positions within the company, effective immediately."
Richard shot to his feet. "Father, why? After everything I've contributed to this company!"
"Contributed?" James's voice dripped with contempt. "Forging documents? Falsely accusing business partners? Is this what you call contribution?"
"I didn't do those things!" Richard protested desperately. "Someone's setting me up!"
"Enough." James cut him off sharply. "I've reviewed all the evidence personally. You not only attempted to sabotage our partnership with the Reeds but manipulated Miss Reed to gain insider information. Such behavior is beneath the Montgomery name!"
Richard looked wildly around the room before fixing his gaze on me, eyes blazing with hatred. "You! This is your doing!"
I met his gaze evenly. "Richard, you engineered your own downfall."
James motioned to security personnel waiting by the door. "Please escort Mr. Carter from the premises. As of this moment, he is no longer affiliated with Montgomery Enterprises."
Two guards stepped forward. Richard had no choice but to leave, every eye in the room following his exit—his ambitions crumbling visibly with each step.
After the meeting concluded, James invited Dad and me to his private office. Mrs. Montgomery was already waiting inside.
"Mr. Reed, it's been far too long." Elizabeth smiled warmly, extending her hand to my father.
Dad shook her hand with visible discomfort. "Hello, Mrs. Montgomery."
"Please, make yourselves comfortable. We have much to discuss." James indicated the seating area, then turned to me. "Miss Reed, do you understand why I requested your presence today?"
I shook my head. "I'm afraid not."
"Because you remind me so much of your mother," James said, his voice softening. "The same sharp intelligence, the same quiet courage."
"You knew my mother?" I asked, genuinely surprised.
"We weren't merely acquaintances—we were close friends," James said with a wistful sigh. "Until that terrible misunderstanding twenty years ago..."
"What misunderstanding?" I leaned forward, eager to understand.
James glanced at my father. "Mr. Reed, perhaps it's time Emily learned the truth."
Dad remained silent for a moment before nodding slowly. "Yes. She deserves to know."
"Twenty years ago," James began, "our families entered into a business partnership. Your father was just establishing his company, while I had already built mine into something substantial. Together, we were developing a revolutionary technology with enormous potential."
"But just as we were approaching a breakthrough, disaster struck." James's expression darkened with old pain. "There was an explosion in the laboratory. Several people were killed. Among them was your mother's younger sister—your aunt."
I turned to Dad in shock. His face was a mask of long-buried grief.
"The official investigation determined the explosion resulted from equipment failure," James continued. "But someone presented fabricated evidence suggesting your father's negligence had caused the tragedy."
"Who would do such a thing?" I asked, though I suspected the answer.
"James's ex-wife—Richard's mother," Elizabeth said, taking up the narrative. "She harbored deep jealousy toward my friendship with your mother and resented the partnership between our families. She saw an opportunity to destroy everything in one stroke."
"I was a fool," James admitted, his voice heavy with regret. "I believed her fabrications and turned against your father. The Reed family nearly collapsed as a result."
"What happened after that?" I asked softly.
"Eventually I uncovered the truth, but by then, irreparable damage had been done," James said. "Your father refused my apologies and offers of compensation. Your mother severed all ties with Elizabeth."
"Is that why you initiated this new partnership?" I asked, the pieces finally falling into place. "To make amends for the past?"
"Yes," James nodded solemnly. "I owe your father a debt that can never truly be repaid. But I hoped this partnership might begin to heal old wounds."
"And Richard?" I asked. "Was he aware of this history?"
"No," James shook his head. "He knew only that there was bad blood between myself and your father, not the reasons behind it. He saw this partnership as his chance to prove himself, regardless of the methods required."
"So," I turned to William, "you've been working to thwart Richard's schemes from the beginning?"
William nodded. "Yes. I understood my father's genuine desire for reconciliation. I couldn't allow Richard to turn this into another tragedy."
The room fell silent. Two decades of misunderstanding and pain had finally been brought to light.
"Mr. Reed," James finally broke the silence, "I know words can't undo the past, but I hope this partnership might represent a new beginning."
Dad considered this for a long moment before extending his hand. "What's done is done. Let's focus on building something better for the future."
James grasped Dad's hand with visible emotion. "Thank you for your forgiveness."
As we prepared to leave, William walked us to the entrance. Dad tactfully entered the car first, allowing William and me a moment of privacy.
"Thank you for everything," I said with genuine gratitude. "I couldn't have exposed Richard without your help."
"My pleasure," William smiled warmly. "You're far too intelligent to be anyone's pawn."
His words sent an unexpected warmth through me. In a world dominated by calculation and self-interest, genuine appreciation felt like a rare gift.
"What happens to Richard and Sophie now?" I asked.
"Richard has been cut off completely—his career in this industry is finished," William replied matter-of-factly. "As for Sophie, I suspect she'll soon learn the consequences of her poor allegiances."
I nodded, feeling a measure of satisfaction. Yet I understood that true vindication wasn't just about watching enemies fall—it was about rising higher yourself.
"Emily," William said unexpectedly, "once this partnership is established, I'd like you to consider joining another venture I'm developing. Your insights would be invaluable."
I looked at him with genuine surprise. "Are you serious?"
"Absolutely," he smiled. "This isn't charity or guilt—it's a straightforward business decision. You have exceptional talent that deserves a proper platform."
I smiled, nodding thoughtfully. "I'll definitely consider it."
On the drive home, Dad remained silent until we were nearly there. "Emily, I'm sorry I never told you about your aunt."
"It's okay, Dad," I said, taking his hand. "I understand why you couldn't talk about it."
"Your mother never stopped grieving for her sister." Dad's voice cracked slightly. "After the accident, something in her just... broke."
I felt a sharp ache in my chest. In my previous life, I'd never understood the source of Mom's persistent melancholy. Now everything fell into place.
"Dad, we can't change what happened," I said gently. "What matters is that the truth is finally out, and some measure of justice has been served."
When we arrived home, Sophie was waiting on our doorstep. She looked terrible—disheveled, with puffy red eyes from hours of crying.
"Emily," she lunged forward, grabbing my wrist. "Please, you have to help me! Richard's been fired, and he's blaming you for everything!"
I regarded her with icy detachment. "Sophie, the game is over. I know everything—your relationship with Richard, your plan to manipulate me, all of it."
The color drained from her face. "How... how did you find out?"
"Does it really matter?" I countered. "The important thing is your little scheme has collapsed."
"Emily, please, I can explain everything..." she pleaded desperately.
"Save it," I cut her off. "Our friendship is over. Don't contact me again."
With that, I turned and walked into the house, leaving Sophie standing alone on the doorstep, her expression a mixture of shock and desperation.
As I closed the door behind me, I exhaled deeply. The first phase of my revenge was complete—Richard and Sophie had faced the consequences of their betrayal. But this was just the beginning.
In my previous life, they had destroyed my family and ultimately taken my life. In this second chance, I'd made them taste their own medicine—experience the betrayal and manipulation they'd once inflicted on me.
Now I would truly rise from the ashes—reborn like the phoenix of legend—and soar higher than they could ever imagine.
