(A/n- The last chapter 23 was divided into two parts. As I realized there's a vast difference in views, I guess some of you may have missed it due to my accidentally republished chapter notifications. So if you didn't read it, go check it out)

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•James Beaufort•

•Present•

I'm beyond astonished.

"You're fucking crazy," I mutter, unable to hold myself.

Nora glides her fingers on her forehead, seeming more frustrated as she sighs but then opts for a composure look. "You think these matters are to kid around?" she emphasises, pinning me harshly. "I've been on this for years. You have no idea how much it took me to convince myself of what my family has become."

I shake my head, denial coursing in me. "I know my dad," I say, my words rushing. "While he's not the spokesperson of business ethics, he won't stoop this low. I know him well."

"You're wrong James," she says, my name on her tongue for the first time, reminding me of Maeve for a second. I shake the thought away immediately. "I wouldn't have had this conversation with you if it wasn't a life and death situation."

"Life and death?" I almost laugh at her biblical statement. Nothing makes sense. "Bunch of nonsense," I comment, standing up. "I don't know what the hell is exactly your problem with us but you better watch out."

She's on her feet as well. "I just gave you the reason. This is true." her voice is desperate but even then she carries it with immense confidence. "If this drug is out on the market, there's no going back. No matter what I do, what the cops or FBI do, it will be in millions of hands already."

I scratch the back of my neck. "What evidence do you have? A bunch of lists that you got from the document management Department. Why would your brother keep this kind of information there for you to see, huh?"

"Trust me, it wasn't easy to find. There's a room in that room. Another keycard that I had to plan for weeks to steal and duplicate." she explains. "They were initially planning on making the drug there only but they changed their mind after I suggested to take over the lab. While I wasn't made the incharge of that place, Joseph had the whole operation moved to somewhere else just so he could be better safe than sorry."

"So you know where this new research lab is?" I query.

She clicks her tongue in disappointment. "I've had a few guesses," she says. "The one I most prominently thought was at Old Fortson Mill where one of our first research labs was founded. It was shut down by the government for releasing harmful chemicals into the sea more than a decade ago."

"And what about others?"

"I've checked more than eight locations for now and I'm still going through many other places that I could find any link of," She informs me. "I know I'm close and it's just a matter of time."

I sigh, rounding anxiously around the vacant room, my feet too heavy with every step I take. Her mannerisms about the whole situation are indeed on point if I begin to believe the possibility of my dad being involved in something so unethical and horrendous.

My head hurts just from thinking that. "Why are you telling me all this? Why are you even trusting me with all of this? I'm a Beaufort as well."

"Right now, your name doesn't matter to me," she says, making me stop. "And for why I'm telling you. Honestly, I have no choice."

"What do you mean?"

"I need your help," She says, her focus on me the whole time. "There's something only you could do that will give us a chance that the drug never sees the light of the day."

"Which is?" I asked, my interest piqueing.

"For months we've been trying to find out the scientist behind this but we have no name to begin with. Actually nothing." she says. "Initially, I suspected Mr. Heath to be the one but I was wrong. Joseph has left no clue for me to follow but I think you can." she says, determination brimming her eyes. "I stole your phone that day as I was skeptical of you as well. I was sure that you came here with the same motive as your father so you must have any contact with him. Or anything to get a clue."

"But I don't."

She nods her head. "It was indeed a risk telling you all of this but there's nothing much I can do about it. If I can't find the lab and the scientist, I may have to directly blow this news up out in the public so Joseph will be compelled to put a pause on it for a while. That may give us more time but I'm not sure how long we can keep fighting. We are running out of time."

"We?" I point out. "Who's we?"

"Ezra, Claudia, and Poppy," she tells me. "Poppy is the one who spied on your phone."

"You were planning on meeting her here, right?"

"Yes," she says. "But then I realized you were following me."

"Okay," I say and sit down, considering her words. "You still haven't told me what you want from me?"

She takes her seat as well. "I want you to find out who the scientist is."

Appalled, I gape at her. "How the bloody hell do I do that?"

"I believe your father is not as concerned about someone on the inside trying to find out his secret. He may not be as careful about keeping his tracks covered as Joseph," she says. "That will give you an advantage. You could look for anything that will give something, anything to us. Once the lab is found, you'll have every reason to believe me."

Exasperated, I say. "This is ridiculous. You want me to travel all the way back home just so I could spy on my dad on a teeny tiny possibility that he may or may not be involved in a heinous crime. Am I supposed to take your word for it?"

"If it protects our family's name then, yes," she states, slamming her hands on the table, and leaning forward. "Look we both can work together and put a stop to this or millions of lives ruined will on us as we did nothing when we could have."

Her words leaves a lot of effect on me and despite having so much faith in my father, a fraction of me believes her. Making schemes, and coming up with such outrageous lies does seem like a lot of work to me. Besides, Beaufort's have been nothing but helpful to them during their downfall.

If she's indeed here without an ulterior motive, then the slightest chance of her being right shakes me up.

I must think it through. "Is this the reason why you called the board meeting?" I ask as this thought occurs to me.

"Yes." she accepts. "But I couldn't do much other than tell how Joseph is losing his touch and that we need a new representative," she says, her fingers balling. "I can't exactly say that he's using their money to make illegal drugs, you know."

That I can agree with her. Even with rumors, it would stir up some real trouble, with thousands of people losing their jobs if shareholders decide to take their money away.

I glance down at the watch on my wrist, the sound of it ticking suddenly too loud as it resonates in my mind, the ache in my head hypes up. Reaching a conclusion is hard as it will make me question my own family and my lack of trust in Nora is not helping me either.

"Fine," I guess looking around a bit won't hurt anyone. Except her. If she's in any way using me for her own agenda, Nora Godfrey, I'll be your undoing.

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I'll try to post twice this week. Anyway, we are 60% through the book. How's the story going, please let me know. I read every comment and it honestly makes my day. Thank you for your support. Means the world to me.

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