Chapter 6: Shadows of the Past

After the unsettling events of the previous night, I knew I couldn’t sit still. That shadowy figure watching me from the street was a stark reminder that I was now playing in a game with unseen opponents and unknown stakes.

I needed to understand what was really going on, and the first step was to dig into the past—to find out what connection, if any, my family had to Julian’s.

I arrived at the office early, the sun barely up over the New York skyline, casting long shadows across the city.

The building was quiet, almost eerily so, as I made my way to the archives room—a place I rarely visited but now seemed like the starting point of a treasure hunt, or perhaps a Pandora’s box.

The door creaked open, revealing rows upon rows of filing cabinets, each filled with documents spanning the decades since my father first founded Hartfield Technologies.

I started with the most obvious files: company records from the early years, hoping to find any mention of Sterling Enterprises or Victor Sterling.

I sifted through file after file, my frustration growing as I found nothing out of the ordinary. Just old contracts, employee records, and minutes from meetings that felt like ancient history.

I was about to give up when something caught my eye—a folder, nearly hidden at the back of a drawer, its tab faded and worn. I pulled it out, squinting to read the faded label: Sterling Connection.

A chill ran down my spine as I opened the folder. Inside were several old photographs, yellowed with age.

One of them showed my father, his arm around Victor Sterling, both men grinning broadly in front of what looked like a newly opened building.

My father looked younger, happier than I remembered. I couldn’t recall him ever mentioning Victor, or Sterling Enterprises for that matter. Why had he kept this part of his life hidden?

As I flipped through more of the documents, I found a handwritten note, dated almost thirty years ago. It was from my father to Victor, talking about a joint venture.

The language was formal, but there was a hint of something more personal, a familiarity that suggested they had been more than just business partners.

The last line of the letter stuck out to me: “Looking forward to continuing our legacy, no matter the cost.”

“What legacy?” I murmured aloud, my voice echoing in the quiet room.

There were more documents, mostly financial records that suggested a series of investments my father had made with Victor.

Investments that, on the surface, seemed legitimate, but something about them felt… off. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but there was a pattern here, a thread that I needed to follow.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. If my father and Victor were connected, then it meant that whatever was happening now had roots in the past. But why would Julian go to such lengths to keep this hidden, and why now?

The silence of the archives was suddenly interrupted by the soft vibration of my phone. I pulled it out of my pocket, my heart skipping a beat as I saw the message notification from Julian.

Julian: We need to talk. I have crucial information about your father’s involvement in our past. Call me when you’re ready.

My hand trembled slightly as I stared at the message, my mind spinning with questions. What did Julian know about my father that I didn’t? And why was he reaching out to me now, after everything that had happened?

Before I could overthink it, I tapped on Julian’s contact and hit call. The line rang twice before he picked up.

“Isobel,” Julian’s voice was steady, almost calm. “I didn’t expect you to call so soon.”

“Cut the crap, Julian,” I snapped, my frustration boiling over. “What do you know about my father and Victor? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

There was a brief pause on the other end, as if Julian was choosing his words carefully. “It’s complicated, Isobel. Our fathers… they were more than just business partners. They were friends, close ones, until something happened that tore them apart.”

I felt a lump form in my throat. My father had never spoken about Victor or any sort of fallout. “What happened?”

Julian sighed. “It’s not something we can discuss over the phone. Can you meet me?”

I hesitated. The last thing I wanted was another face-to-face with Julian, but if he had answers… “Fine. Where?”

“I’ll send you the address,” Julian replied. “And, Isobel? Be careful. There’s a lot more at stake here than you realize.”

The line went dead before I could respond, and I was left staring at my phone, a mixture of dread and determination filling my chest. Whatever this was, it was bigger than just Julian and me. I needed to get to the bottom of it.

A few hours later, I found myself standing outside a small café on the Upper East Side, the address Julian had sent me. It was a quaint place, with an old-fashioned charm that seemed out of place in the bustling city. I spotted Julian inside, sitting at a table near the back, his eyes fixed on the door.

As I walked in, he stood up, his expression unreadable. “Isobel,” he greeted, motioning for me to sit. “Thank you for coming.”

“Just get to the point, Julian,” I said sharply as I took a seat. “What do you know about my father and Victor?”

Julian took a deep breath, his gaze steady on mine. “Your father and Victor were involved in some… questionable dealings back in the day.

They were trying to build something big, something that would change the tech industry forever. But they had a falling out when your father discovered that Victor was using their venture to launder money for a powerful organization.”

My heart pounded in my chest. “What organization?”

Julian glanced around, as if making sure no one was listening. “I don’t know their name, but they’re dangerous. They have connections everywhere, and they’re ruthless.

Your father wanted out, but Victor… he was in too deep. That’s why they cut ties, and why your father never spoke of it again.”

I shook my head, struggling to process everything Julian was telling me. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

“Because I didn’t know how much you already knew,” Julian admitted. “And I didn’t want to drag you into this mess unless it was absolutely necessary.”

“Well, it looks like I’m already in the middle of it,” I said bitterly. “So, what now?”

Julian leaned forward, his expression serious. “Now, we figure out what this organization wants with Hartfield Technologies. And we stop them before it’s too late.”

I stared at him, searching his face for any sign of deceit, but all I saw was determination. “And why should I trust you?”

Julian held my gaze. “Because, Isobel, whether you like it or not, our fates are tied together. And if we don’t work together, we might both lose everything.”

I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. I didn’t like the idea of teaming up with Julian, but he was right about one thing—whatever was coming, it was bigger than both of us.

As we sat there, a tense silence hanging between us, my phone buzzed again. I glanced down, my breath catching in my throat as I read the message.

Unknown Number: We’re watching you, Isobel. Trust no one.

I looked up, meeting Julian’s eyes, a chill running down my spine. “It looks like we’re not the only ones interested in the past.”

Just as Julian opened his mouth to respond, the café door swung open, and in walked Victor Sterling, his eyes locking onto mine with a look of cold calculation.