Kyra’s POV

[You better tell me you kept the documents safe.]

I inserted the flash drive into my new laptop and typed the password. The photos of the documents Attorney Lee gave me were all there, complete.

"It burned down with my condo unit, Attorney," I lied.

[What? Kyra! That’s the only copy of the investigation file. The investigator died right after your grandmother died. That’s the only thing we have against your mother’s siblings.]

I smiled bitterly. "That’s why I’m asking for your advice, Attorney. I have nothing against them anymore. Do you know a way to get a copy of the documents?"

[There’s no other copy, Kyra. Now, I don’t know how to help you anymore.] He raised his voice.

I sighed after he ended the call. I knew lying to him was wrong because he was just trying to help me, but I couldn’t help it. I needed to secure everything I had, even if it meant lying to everyone around me. The Moon Goddess herself knew how many people I could truly trust right now.

"Is something wrong?" Emily asked, sipping her wine from across the room.

She had taken Snow and me to her condo unit after the fire. I’d declined at first because I could afford another home, but she insisted, saying it would be dangerous for me and my daughter to find another place knowing there was still a threat on my life.

"I just told my grandma’s lawyer that I no longer have the evidence on my mom’s case."

She stared into my eyes. "You don’t trust the attorney?"

I massaged my forehead. "I don’t know, Emily. I feel like there’s something missing. I mean... there is already enough evidence to put those people involved in my mother’s death behind bars, and Attorney Lee waited for me to return. I don’t know why, but I feel like something’s wrong."

She crossed her legs and tilted her head. "Trust your instincts. They will protect you and your daughter. That’s what a mother’s intuition is for."

I gave her a small smile and nodded. "Thank you, Emily."

She smirked and lifted her wine glass. "Speaking of problems that won’t go away..." She reached for the remote and turned on the television. "Look who’s back in the spotlight."

My breath caught as Sophia’s face appeared on the screen.

"This woman just won’t quit," Emily said. "How does she keep getting media attention?"

The interview cut to the host asking about the rumors surrounding me and Kieran.

Emily quickly muted the television. "This woman is absolutely insane. Have you talked to Nathan about her?"

I nodded, Sylvia growling with rage inside me. "I’ve already had the PR department suppress Sophia’s interview, and the pack council has been briefed on the situation. This woman just refuses to leave me alone."

Emily took another sip of her wine. "If you’re planning to get back together with Nathan, you’ll have to deal with her eventually. Consider it a test—see how Nathan handles his relationship with his so-called fated mate."

I raised an eyebrow. "You think I should use this as a test?"

"I’m just saying," Emily shrugged, "how he handles Sophia will tell you everything you need to know about whether he’s really changed. A mate who can’t stand up to others who disrespect you isn’t worth having."

I pondered her words as my phone buzzed. It was a text from Luke saying he’d found something interesting in my mother’s case files. I’d enlisted his help with my investigation since I wasn’t sure I could trust Attorney Lee anymore.

I’m so thankful that Emily was here. She’d become one of my strongest supporters, and I had to admit that without her, I wouldn’t have the foundation I needed to fight.

Days passed unexpectedly fast. Attorney Lee hadn’t contacted me, which only strengthened my doubts about him. Now I was conducting my own investigation with Luke’s help, piecing together what really happened to my mother.

Sitting at my swivel chair in my dad’s company, I was reviewing some documents when the door slammed open, revealing Sara Foster with an enraged expression. Yara, my secretary, looked worried behind her while glancing at me. I just nodded, and she immediately left, closing the door to give us privacy.

"To whom do I owe this visit?" I asked calmly.

Sara slammed her fists on my table. "I already told you that I won’t let it pass if you refuse to give me what I want, Kyra! It has been almost a week since we talked, and you seem to have no intention of giving me or my husband a position!"

I crossed my legs and leaned back in my chair. "That’s not easy, Sara. Apparently, your husband doesn’t have any credentials qualifying him for any position other than a cleaner."

She sucked in a breath, obviously insulted. "Are you really testing my patience? You are just my niece."

"Precisely!" I chuckled. "That’s why you should know that I’m just as cunning as you and your brother."

She gritted her teeth and balled her fists. I could feel Sylvia watching carefully, ready to protect me if this woman tried anything foolish.

"You can’t do this to me, Kyra!"

"Why don’t we have an agreement?" I suggested, leaning forward. "Bargain with me, Sara Foster. What can you do for me in exchange for giving you a position?"

Her forehead creased. "What do you mean?"

I stared at her face. "Let’s say... you’ll manage one of the branches of our hotels as a manager. That’s a high position. What can you do for me if I’m to give you that title?"

She swallowed hard and slowly lifted her chin. "What do you want me to do?"

I stood up and walked toward her. She watched me with hawk eyes as I approached. Standing before her, I studied her features. She looked like my mom and somewhat resembled me. Among my mother’s biological family, she was the one who appeared softer. According to what I’d learned, she’d been hurt and wounded all these years. She sought recognition, love, and appreciation.

"Sara... my mom was murdered, and I lost all the evidence when my condo unit was burned down. I need to make the responsible person pay."

Her forehead creased as she slowly shook her head. "Why me? Why didn’t you make the person responsible pay even before your condo got burned down?"

"I chose you because I know you’re innocent," I said, watching her reaction carefully. "And I couldn’t make the person pay because the evidence wasn’t enough, and the only witness died."

She sucked in a breath and slowly shook her head. "I-I can’t do this. I can’t do this, Kyra! This already involves a killer. I don’t want to get involved too!"

"Neither do I," I said with genuine hatred. "Did you know that I first thought about declining the inheritance? I don’t need money, Sara. I need peace. I need a peaceful life with my daughter, but I discovered the truth about my mother’s death. This is not easy for me either. I’m putting my life on the line to catch the killer and make them pay."

"T-Them..." she whispered. "I don’t... know."

"Please, Sara. You are the only person who can get close to them."

She looked at me with shock. "Are you... are you saying that Connor was... involved?"

I stared at her with a blank face, saying nothing. She gasped as she covered her mouth. She shook her head continuously and took a step backward.

"No..." she whispered in horror.

"You have to help me, Sara," I pressed, sensing her wavering. "I don’t even need the company. I promise you... I will give the company to you once this is over. I only want peace, and I can only get that once I’ve given my parents justice. That’s all I ask. Please help me..."