Chapter 7: The Person Who Betrayed My Father
Amber couldn't move.
The photograph on her laptop showed a familiar face.
A face she had trusted.
A face she had defended countless times.
A face that had been part of her life since childhood.
Her uncle, Peter Carter.
Her father's younger brother.
Amber stared at the photograph, searching for some explanation that would make it less terrifying.
Peter had been the person who took care of her after her parents died. He had helped her keep the family garage open. He had attended her school graduation, encouraged her to pursue mechanical engineering, and even helped her repair her first motorcycle.
He had always told her that Daniel was the greatest man he had ever known.
And now someone was suggesting that Peter had betrayed him.
"No," Amber whispered.
She enlarged the photograph.
It showed Peter standing outside the Sterling engineering facility, shaking hands with Richard Vale.
The date was printed beneath the image.
Three days before the final meeting shown in her father's recording.
Amber immediately called Peter.
He answered after the second ring.
"Amber? It's late. Is everything okay?""
She struggled to control her voice.
"Uncle Peter, where are you?""
"At home. Why?""
"I need to ask you something.""
"Of course. What's wrong?""
Amber stared at the photograph.
"Did you ever work with Richard Vale?""
Silence.
Only for a second.
But Amber noticed.
Peter finally answered.
"Where did you hear that name?""
"Just answer me.""
"Amber, this is complicated.""
"Did you work with him?""
Peter sighed.
"Yes. A long time ago.""
Amber closed her eyes.
"Did you help him steal Dad's invention?""
The silence lasted longer this time.
Then Peter said something she would never forget.
"I did what I thought was best for our family.""
Amber's heart dropped.
"What does that mean?""
"Your father was making dangerous decisions. He was putting everything at risk.""
"He was protecting his invention!""
"That's what he told you.""
Amber gripped the edge of her desk.
"Uncle Peter, I have the original documents.""
Peter's voice changed.
"Where did you get them?""
"From Dad.""
"Listen to me carefully. Don't show those documents to anyone.""
"Why?""
"Because you don't understand what they contain.""
"Then explain it!""
Peter took a breath.
"Richard wasn't the only person involved. Your father made enemies long before the Sterling project.""
Amber felt anger replacing her shock.
"Stop speaking in riddles.""
"I'll come over tomorrow. We'll talk.""
"No.""
"Amber—"
"I want the truth now.""
Peter lowered his voice.
"Your father trusted the wrong people. And I was the one who tried to save him.""
Amber looked at the photograph again.
"Then why were you shaking hands with Richard?""
Peter didn't answer.
Instead, he said:
"Burn the documents.""
The call ended.
Amber sat motionless.
Her uncle had just confirmed what she had feared.
But she still didn't know why.
The next morning, Amber arrived at the Carter workshop before sunrise.
The familiar smell of oil and metal usually made her feel safe.
Today, every shadow seemed suspicious.
She unlocked the front door and walked toward her father's old office.
The original documents were stored inside a locked cabinet.
She checked the shelves.
Then the drawers.
Everything appeared untouched.
But something was wrong.
The small metal box containing the USB drives had been moved.
Amber opened it.
One drive was missing.
Her stomach tightened.
Someone had entered the workshop.
She checked the security camera.
The footage showed a man wearing a dark cap entering through the rear door at 2:17 a.m.
He moved directly toward the office.
He knew exactly where to look.
Amber paused the video.
The man turned toward the camera.
His face was partially visible.
She recognized the watch.
A silver watch with a black leather strap.
Peter's watch.
Amber stepped away from the monitor.
Her phone rang.
It was Isabella.
"Amber, where are you?""
"At my workshop.""
"Good. Don't leave.""
"Why?""
"Richard has filed an emergency application claiming the Sterling technology belongs to his company. He's also accusing you of stealing confidential business records.""
Amber laughed in disbelief.
"He stole my father's invention, and now he's accusing me?""
"I know. But there's something worse.""
"What?""
"Peter Carter has signed a sworn statement supporting Richard's claim.""
Amber closed her eyes.
Her uncle had chosen a side.
And it wasn't hers.
Isabella continued.
"The hearing is scheduled for tomorrow morning. Richard intends to stop you from accessing the original prototype.""
Amber looked at the empty box.
"He's already taken one of the drives.""
"Then we need to act quickly.""
Amber hesitated.
"Isabella, Marcus told me not to trust you.""
Silence.
Then Isabella sighed.
"I expected that.""
"Why?""
"Because Marcus has been lying to both of us.""
Amber frowned.
"What does he want?""
"To understand that, you need to know who he really is.""
Isabella paused.
"Marcus Reed is Thomas Reed's son. His father was the attorney who handled Daniel's original patent agreement.""
Amber remembered the name.
"Why is he involved?""
"Because Thomas disappeared shortly after Daniel died. Marcus believes Richard was responsible.""
Amber stared at the computer.
"Does Marcus have proof?""
"Not yet.""
"Then why should I trust him?""
Isabella answered quietly.
"Because he has been searching for the original Sterling records for fifteen years. And because he was the person who sent me the photograph of Peter.""
Amber felt a headache coming.
"Everyone seems to have a different story.""
"I know.""
"How do I know you're telling the truth?""
Isabella took a breath.
"You don't. Not yet.""
Then she added:
"But I can show you something.""
At noon, Amber met Isabella at a small restaurant away from the city center.
Isabella arrived carrying a leather folder.
She placed it on the table.
"These are copies of Richard's private financial records.""
Amber opened the folder.
Several payments had been made to companies she didn't recognize.
One company appeared repeatedly.
*CARTER INDUSTRIAL CONSULTING.*
Amber frowned.
"That's my uncle's company.""
Isabella nodded.
"Peter received payments from Richard for years.""
"How much?""
"Enough to make him wealthy.""
Amber stared at the figures.
The amounts were enormous.
"Why would Peter need that money?""
Isabella looked down.
"Because Richard promised him a share of the Sterling company.""
Amber felt sick.
"He sold his own brother's invention?""
"That's what the financial records suggest.""
Amber closed the folder.
"I don't understand. Peter helped me keep Dad's garage open. He gave me money when I couldn't pay the electricity bill.""
Isabella looked at her.
"Perhaps he wanted to keep you close.""
Amber's eyes filled.
"Don't.""
"I'm sorry.""
"Don't tell me he helped me just to watch me suffer.""
Isabella said nothing.
Amber looked out the window.
For years, Peter had been the one person she could count on.
He had stood beside her father's grave.
He had told her that Daniel would have been proud.
He had even given the eulogy.
And all that time, he may have known exactly what Richard had done.
Her phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
Meet me at the old Sterling facility. Come alone. I have something that belongs to your father.
Amber showed Isabella.
"Marcus?""
Isabella nodded.
"Probably.""
"Should I go?""
"Yes. But don't trust anything he says until you see the evidence.""
The old Sterling facility stood at the edge of an industrial district.
Most of the windows were broken.
The front entrance was chained shut.
Amber walked around the building and found a side door slightly open.
Inside, the air smelled of dust and rust.
"Marcus?""
A light flickered in the distance.
A man stepped out from behind an old workbench.
He was in his early forties, with dark hair and a scar above his right eyebrow.
"Amber Carter?""
"Yes.""
"My name is Marcus Reed.""
Amber folded her arms.
"You've been calling me.""
Marcus nodded.
"I have.""
"Why did you tell me not to trust Isabella?""
"Because she's still protecting someone.""
"Who?""
Marcus looked toward the far end of the room.
"Peter.""
Amber's expression hardened.
"He's working with Richard.""
"He's also hiding something Richard doesn't know about.""
Marcus opened a metal cabinet.
Inside was a collection of old photographs and technical documents.
He removed one photograph.
It showed Daniel, Peter, and Marcus's father, Thomas Reed.
All three were standing beside the original Sterling prototype.
Amber stared.
"Why is your father in this picture?""
"Because he helped Daniel register the original patent.""
Marcus handed her a document.
"My father discovered that Richard had forged the transfer agreement. Before he could expose it, someone threatened his family.""
Amber looked up.
"Richard?""
Marcus shook his head.
"Peter.""
The words struck her like a physical blow.
Marcus continued.
"Peter knew where the original documents were hidden. He gave Richard enough information to take control of the company, but he couldn't find the final verification sequence.""
Amber looked at the photograph.
"Why would my uncle do that?""
"Money. Richard promised him a fortune.""
Marcus placed another document on the workbench.
"But there's something else.""
Amber leaned forward.
"Show me.""
Marcus pointed to a signature.
"Peter wasn't just Daniel's brother. He was also listed as a secondary inventor on the original Sterling patent.""
Amber stared.
"That's impossible. Dad never mentioned that.""
"Your father removed his name before filing the final registration.""
"Why?""
"Because Peter had copied the design and attempted to sell it to Richard.""
Amber shook her head.
"My father wouldn't do that to his own brother.""
Marcus looked at her.
"He did it to protect the invention.""
Amber turned away.
Her mind was racing.
Peter had betrayed Daniel.
But perhaps the betrayal had begun long before Richard entered the picture.
"Where is your father now?"" she asked.
Marcus looked down.
"I haven't seen him in fifteen years.""
"What happened?""
"He disappeared after the Sterling case.""
Marcus handed her a small envelope.
"Before he disappeared, he left this for you.""
Amber opened it.
Inside was a handwritten note.
Amber,
Your father trusted me to protect the truth. I failed him.
But I kept one original record safe.
The person who holds it can prove who designed the Sterling system and who tried to steal it.
The record is hidden inside the original engine assembly.
Do not let Peter reach it.
Amber's hands trembled.
"The original engine...""
Marcus nodded.
"Richard is auctioning it tomorrow morning.""
Amber looked at him.
"Where?""
"At the Vale industrial showroom. He intends to sell it to an overseas buyer before the court can freeze the assets.""
Amber's eyes widened.
"That's illegal.""
Marcus shrugged.
"Richard has been breaking the rules for twenty years. Why would he stop now?""
Amber looked at the note.
"How do we get it back?""
Marcus stepped closer.
"We need to get inside the showroom before the auction begins.""
Amber studied him.
"Why are you helping me?""
Marcus looked away.
"Because my father spent his entire life trying to correct what happened to Daniel. And because I don't want his final mistake to be my silence.""
Amber nodded.
"Then we're going to need help.""
Marcus looked at her.
"Who?""
Amber pulled out her phone.
"Someone who knows the villa better than anyone.""
She called Victoria.
Victoria answered almost immediately.
"Amber?""
"I need your help.""
Victoria hesitated.
"What happened?""
"Your father is auctioning the original Sterling engine tomorrow.""
Victoria went silent.
Then she said:
"I know.""
Amber frowned.
"How?""
Victoria's voice broke.
"Because I just found the buyer's contract.""
Amber stood straighter.
"Who is buying it?""
Victoria whispered:
"Peter Carter.""
Amber closed her eyes.
Her uncle wasn't merely helping Richard.
May you like
He was preparing to purchase the very invention he had helped steal.
And tomorrow, he intended to make the betrayal permanent.
