Chapter 3: The Moment Amber Stopped Being Afraid
Amber didn't sleep that night.
The photograph lay on her kitchen table.
Someone had followed her.
Someone knew where she lived.
And someone was willing to threaten her to keep Daniel's secrets buried.
At 7:15 the following morning, she called Edward.
"I need you to tell me everything you know about Richard Vale.""
Edward sounded exhausted.
"Amber, what happened?""
She explained the photograph and the missing meeting with Isabella.
Edward remained silent for several seconds.
Then he said something that changed the direction of the investigation.
"Richard doesn't know everything your father left behind.""
"What do you mean?""
"Daniel made a second copy of the Sterling records. He hid it somewhere only you would understand.""
Amber looked toward the old toolbox beside her kitchen wall.
"Did he ever mention a place?""
Edward paused.
"Your father's workshop. He once said the most important thing in the world was hidden somewhere ordinary people would never look.""
Amber hung up.
She drove straight to the garage.
The building smelled of motor oil, old rubber, and dust.
Sunlight filtered through the dirty windows.
She walked past the workbenches and stopped beside the large red toolbox her father had used for decades.
She had opened it hundreds of times.
There were sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, and old receipts.
Nothing unusual.
But then she remembered something.
When she was little, Daniel always kept one particular wrench in a separate compartment.
He called it his lucky wrench.
Amber opened the compartment.
It was empty.
She turned the box over and noticed a small screw that looked newer than the others.
She removed it.
A thin metal panel came loose.
Behind it was a narrow compartment containing a folded sheet of paper and a small encrypted storage device.
Amber unfolded the paper.
Her father's handwriting.
Amber,
If you're reading this, then the people who tried to steal my work have returned.
Don't fight them with anger. Fight them with the truth.
The Sterling project was never about building the fastest motorcycle.
It was about proving that an honest engineer could create something extraordinary without selling his soul.
Everything you need is on this drive.
And remember: the pink prototype was never theirs.
Amber pressed the paper against her chest.
For a few seconds, she was twelve years old again.
She could almost hear her father laughing behind her.
Then her phone rang.
It was Monica.
Amber stared at the screen before answering.
"What do you want?""
Monica's voice was unusually sweet.
"Hey, girl! Why are you being so difficult?""
Amber leaned against the workbench.
"Is there a reason you're calling?""
"Victoria wants to invite you back to the villa.""
Amber laughed without humor.
"After yesterday?""
"She wants to settle everything.""
"Does that include paying me?""
Monica sighed.
"Honestly, Amber, you make everything so complicated.""
"Then perhaps you should stop calling.""
"Wait! She's willing to give you another chance.""
Amber looked at the storage device.
"Tell Victoria I'll be there.""
Monica sounded surprised.
"Really?""
"Yes.""
"Wonderful! And Amber?""
"What?""
"Please wear something decent this time. It's an important gathering.""
Amber ended the call.
She looked around her father's workshop.
Then she opened her laptop and connected the storage device.
A password prompt appeared.
She tried her father's birthday.
Wrong.
Her mother's birthday.
Wrong.
The name of his first motorcycle.
Wrong.
She leaned back and studied the handwritten note.
The pink prototype was never theirs.
Pink prototype.
Amber looked at the photograph of the motorcycle.
Then she remembered the strawberry milkshake her father had bought her on their first ride.
She typed:
STRAWBERRY.
The screen changed.
<badge color="success">ACCESS GRANTED</badge>
A folder opened.
Inside were hundreds of files.
Original engineering drawings.
Patent documents.
Audio recordings.
Emails.
And one video file titled:
*STERLING — FINAL MEETING.*
Amber clicked it.
The video showed a conference room.
Daniel sat at one end of a table.
Richard Vale sat opposite him.
Edward was there too.
And standing beside Richard was a much younger Isabella.
The video began with Richard speaking.
"Daniel, let's stop pretending. The company owns the project.""
Daniel shook his head.
"The company was supposed to develop it. You know the original agreement.""
Richard leaned back.
"Agreements change.""
"Not when they're forged.""
Richard's expression hardened.
"Be careful what you accuse me of.""
Daniel pushed a document across the table.
"I have the original patent records. I know what you did.""
Isabella looked uncomfortable.
"Richard, perhaps we should discuss this privately.""
Richard ignored her.
He leaned toward Daniel.
"You have a small garage, a mountain of debt, and a daughter who needs a future. I have the resources to make this project successful.""
Daniel stared at him.
"My daughter is not part of this negotiation.""
"Everything has a price.""
Daniel stood.
"Not everything.""
The recording ended abruptly.
Amber sat motionless.
She replayed the final thirty seconds.
Then she noticed a detail in the corner of the screen.
A date.
The meeting had taken place four days before Daniel was hospitalized.
Amber's hands began trembling.
She had spent years believing her father had died after suffering a sudden medical emergency.
Now she wondered whether the betrayal and threats had played a larger role in his final days.
She called Edward again.
He answered immediately.
"Did you find it?""
"Yes.""
"Amber, listen carefully. Don't share those files with anyone until we verify them.""
"Why?""
"Because some of those documents could trigger a major legal battle.""
Amber looked at the screen.
"What about the original patent?""
"If it's authentic, the ownership issue could be settled.""
"And the recording?""
"That could expose Richard's conduct.""
Amber paused.
"Did you know my father was threatened?""
Edward sighed.
"I knew he was under pressure. I didn't know how bad it had become.""
Amber closed her eyes.
"Why didn't you help him?""
There was no immediate answer.
Finally, Edward spoke.
"Because I was afraid.""
Amber said nothing.
"I had a family. A business. I convinced myself that staying quiet was the responsible thing to do.""
His voice cracked.
"Your father never forgave me for that.""
Amber looked at the old wrench on the table.
"Then help me make it right.""
Edward agreed to meet her at the workshop.
Two hours later, he arrived carrying a large folder.
He examined the documents and confirmed that the patent records appeared authentic.
But he also identified something troubling.
The original Sterling engine design had been registered under Daniel's name.
The modified version used in the pink motorcycle had been registered under a company controlled by Richard.
Someone had copied Daniel's work and changed a few technical details to make it appear original.
"That's intellectual property theft," Amber said.
Edward nodded.
"If the original records are valid, Richard could have a serious problem.""
Amber looked at the photograph of Victoria.
"And what about her?""
Edward hesitated.
"Victoria may not know the entire history.""
Amber wasn't convinced.
"She knew exactly what she was doing when she tried to make me sign that agreement.""
Edward looked at her.
"Then you need to be careful.""
Amber closed the folder.
"I've been careful my entire life.""
She picked up her phone.
"Now I'm going to stop being quiet.""
That afternoon, Amber arrived at Victoria's villa.
The driveway was crowded with luxury cars.
A group of guests stood near the swimming pool, holding drinks and taking photographs.
The hot-pink superbike was displayed in the center of the courtyard.
Its paint reflected the sunlight.
A small black plaque had been placed beside it:
*THE VALE STERLING — AN ORIGINAL ENGINEERING MASTERPIECE.*
Amber stopped.
She recognized the words.
Sterling.
Original.
Masterpiece.
All three had been taken from her father's legacy.
Monica noticed her first.
"Well, look who's here!""
Tanya turned.
"She actually came back.""
Victoria emerged from the villa wearing a white designer dress.
She smiled as if yesterday's humiliation had never happened.
"Amber! I'm glad you changed your mind.""
Amber looked at the motorcycle.
"What's the occasion?""
Victoria gestured toward the guests.
"My father is announcing our new motorcycle division. This beauty is going to be the centerpiece.""
Amber studied the engine.
"Interesting.""
Victoria smiled.
"Isn't it?""
"Who designed the original system?""
Victoria's expression changed slightly.
"My father's company, obviously.""
"Really?""
"Yes.""
Amber nodded slowly.
"That's strange.""
Victoria crossed her arms.
"What's strange?""
"The original design was developed by Daniel Carter.""
Monica burst into laughter.
"Oh, here we go again.""
Tanya rolled her eyes.
"Can we please not do this?""
Victoria stepped closer.
"Amber, I invited you here to resolve our disagreement, not to listen to conspiracy theories.""
"Then why is my father's engineering work displayed under your family's name?""
Victoria's smile disappeared.
"Watch what you say.""
Amber pointed at the plaque.
"That motorcycle uses my father's original engine architecture. I have the patent records, the original engineering drawings, and the meeting recording that proves your father knew exactly where the technology came from.""
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Victoria laughed.
It was a sharp, uncomfortable laugh.
"Do you hear yourself?""
Monica joined in.
"She thinks she has evidence!""
Tanya shook her head.
"Someone should tell her this isn't a courtroom.""
Victoria turned toward the guests.
"Everyone, this is Amber. She runs a tiny repair shop and apparently believes my family stole an invention from hers.""
A few people laughed.
Amber remained still.
Victoria moved beside the motorcycle and placed one hand on its fuel tank.
"YOU THINK YOU DESERVE THIS?!""
Her voice echoed across the courtyard.
Monica laughed mockingly.
Tanya folded her arms.
Amber lowered her eyes.
She could feel tears gathering, but she refused to let them fall.
Victoria leaned toward her.
"Look at this motorcycle. Look at my house. Look at the people standing here. You think someone like you can challenge us?""
Amber remembered her father's hands.
The old toolbox.
The first motorcycle ride.
The words written on the paper.
Don't fight them with anger. Fight them with the truth.
She slowly raised her head.
Something had changed in her expression.
The heartbreak was still there.
But it was no longer controlling her.
Amber stepped forward.
"You're going to regret this!""
Victoria's smile disappeared.
Monica stopped laughing.
Tanya unfolded her arms.
"What did you just say?"" Victoria demanded.
Amber didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she reached into her handbag and removed a small black notebook.
She opened it to a page containing a detailed engine diagram.
Then she pointed toward the motorcycle.
"That engine has a hidden safety modification. It was designed by my father. Whoever copied his work removed the original protection system.""
Victoria's face tightened.
"That's impossible.""
Amber shook her head.
"No. What's impossible is that your company claims to have developed this motorcycle when it can't even explain how its own engine works.""
A man standing near the swimming pool stepped forward.
He was wearing a dark navy suit and holding a glass of water.
"Excuse me," he said.
"What exactly are you suggesting?""
Victoria turned.
"Dad, it's nothing. She's just trying to cause trouble.""
Amber looked at him.
Richard Vale.
The man from her father's recording.
The man who had stood across the table from Daniel and claimed ownership of his work.
Richard approached the superbike.
"Amber Carter, isn't it?""
"Yes.""
"I understand you've been making some rather unpleasant accusations.""
"I'm not making accusations. I'm showing you evidence.""
Richard smiled coldly.
"Evidence is a very serious word.""
"Then perhaps you should look at these.""
Amber placed a copy of the patent registration on the nearby display table.
Richard glanced at it.
His expression remained controlled.
But his fingers tightened around his glass.
"Where did you get this?""
"From my father.""
"Daniel is dead.""
The words hit Amber like a slap.
She looked directly at Richard.
"His work isn't.""
Richard's smile vanished.
Victoria moved closer to her father.
"Dad, what's happening?""
He ignored her.
Instead, he leaned toward Amber.
"You have no idea what you're involving yourself in.""
Amber met his gaze.
"I know exactly what I'm involving myself in.""
She pulled out her phone.
"Would you like to hear the recording of the meeting where you discussed taking my father's invention?""
Richard went pale.
Monica looked from Amber to Victoria.
Tanya slowly lowered her arms.
For the first time, the courtyard was completely silent.
Then Richard spoke.
"Give me that phone.""
Amber stepped back.
"No.""
"Amber, I'm offering you one final opportunity to walk away.""
"Just like you offered my father?""
Richard's jaw tightened.
Victoria looked at her father.
"Dad? What is she talking about?""
Before Richard could answer, a car pulled through the villa's gates.
A black luxury sedan stopped near the entrance.
The rear door opened.
A woman stepped out.
Amber recognized her immediately.
Isabella Vale.
Victoria's mother.
She walked across the driveway holding a thick brown envelope.
Richard's face changed.
"Isabella. What are you doing here?""
She ignored him.
Her eyes moved to Amber.
Then she looked at the pink superbike.
Finally, she turned toward the gathered guests.
"I think it's time everyone heard the truth about this motorcycle.""
Victoria frowned.
"Mom, please don't start.""
Isabella opened the envelope.
Inside was a document bearing Daniel Carter's signature, along with a sealed legal certificate.
She held it up.
"Richard, you told our daughter this motorcycle was your greatest engineering achievement.""
Richard stepped forward.
"Put that away.""
Isabella didn't move.
"But you forgot to tell her who actually designed it.""
Victoria stared at her mother.
"What are you talking about?""
Isabella took a breath.
Then she looked directly at Amber.
"Your father didn't just design the Sterling engine, sweetheart.""
Amber froze.
Isabella continued.
"He also left behind a document proving that the entire company was legally yours.""
The courtyard erupted in whispers.
Victoria looked at her father.
Richard said nothing.
And then Isabella delivered the sentence that made Victoria's face lose all its color.
"Victoria, the motorcycle you've been showing off as your family's masterpiece...""
She placed the document on the display table.
"...belongs to the woman you've been humiliating.""
Amber stared at the papers.
Her hands trembled.
Because beneath the legal certificate was another document.
One bearing the name of the person who had secretly financed the entire project after Daniel's death.
And it wasn't Isabella.
It was someone Amber had trusted her whole life.
Amber slowly raised her eyes toward the camera.
"Do you want to know who really helped my father—and what happens next to Victoria?""
May you like
She took one step toward the pink motorcycle.
"Because this is only the beginning.""
