Chapter 1.
“Sometimes a single meeting can destroy everything you once thought was perfect.”
⸻
Jack was an ambitious and determined young man with a pleasant appearance.
Back in elementary school, he was already a member of the chess club and spent most of his time in the library.
He was a cherished grandson, and his parents were always proud of him.
Jack’s mother, Vivien Gonzalez, worked at Wells Shil Bank in California and served as his role model.
Even in high school, Jack knew he wanted to earn a substantial income like his parents and become a role model for his younger brothers.
When Jack applied to Harvard, Vivien helped him immensely, and he made a firm decision — he would become a banker, just like his mother.
His final year at the university was difficult, but despite everything, he graduated with honors.
And now, standing before his mother at the graduation ceremony — in his black gown trimmed with burgundy — Jack made a new promise to himself: not just to become a banker in America, but a true financier in Switzerland.
⸻
Throughout his years of study, Jack missed his family deeply — especially his grandparents.
After the ceremony, he and Vivien flew back home to California, where the family awaited them.
They were greeted by a beautifully set table, prepared by his grandmother, and a gift from his father to celebrate his graduation.
Kevin had warned Jack that he wouldn’t be home — he was away on an urgent business trip.
Jack’s younger brothers ran up to hug him and their mother.
“Noah! Liam! Let Grandma hug her grandson too!”
Grabbing Jack by the shoulders, his grandmother looked him over and hugged him tightly.
“You’ve grown so thin! What have you been eating over there?”
“Where’s my wayward Jack?”
His frail grandfather shuffled in with a cane.
“Grandpa! I missed you so much!” Jack said, embracing him tightly.
After a few warm words, Vivien invited everyone to sit at the table.
⸻
A few days passed.
Late one evening, Jack sat at his desk, browsing job openings on his laptop.
A warm yellow glow from the lamp spread across his desk, and a cool breeze drifted in through the half-open window, making the door creak slightly from the draft.
From his own room across the hall, Jack’s grandfather could see his grandson sitting at his computer. After a while, the old man decided to come in.
Jack was engrossed in reading about a bank in Zurich.
“Looking for a job?” the grandfather asked quietly.
“Grandpa, I didn’t hear you come in. Sit down.”
“Why Zurich?” The old man settled himself comfortably on Jack’s bed.
“I want to achieve something great, Grandpa. Any Swiss bank is known for its reliability and exceptional client service. I want to be part of that. I’m not going to look for an easy way out.”
“As you wish. My brother lives there… if he’s still alive.”
He lowered his voice. “But hush. We had a falling-out thirty-six years ago. After that, I moved here and married your grandmother. Every New Year, I count how many years it’s been since. My youth stayed back in Switzerland…” His eyes grew distant.
“I’ve never heard about this before. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted my memories of him to be buried with me.”
“What happened between you two?”
“My brother worked at a bank too… but he made dirty money. Every day he went to that damned job, deceiving people and stealing from them. I tried to talk sense into him, but all he said was that I should leave. So I did. I tried to forget him ever since.”
“Grandpa, you’re not Swiss, are you?”
“No. Our parents moved to Switzerland when William and I were young. That’s where they lived their whole lives.”
“So you speak German?”
“I used to… once.”
They talked for another two hours.
Jack learned which bank his great-uncle had worked for.
After his grandfather went to bed, Jack searched for that bank online — and discovered they were recruiting young specialists.
The next day, around noon, he called the number in the ad, told them he had graduated from Harvard with honors, spoke German, and was ready to fly to Zurich.
On the other end of the line, they said they would be glad to consider his application and invited him for an interview in a week — at the main hall of Helvetia Bank.
⸻
Early the next morning, after saying goodbye to his family, Jack headed to the airport.
Only one thought unsettled him — enduring a fifteen-hour flight.
He strode into the plane and found his window seat. The seat beside him was still empty.
He pulled out a book on investment strategies, but before he could open it, a woman sat down next to him.
She looked to be in her mid-fifties, maybe a little younger. Elegant coat, a faint scent of jasmine, and eyes that seemed calm yet knowing — as if she already understood who he was.
“Business trip?” she asked with a soft smile.
“Job interview,” he replied. “At Helvetia Bank.”
“Ah, a financier.” There was a note of interest in her voice. “Zurich has a fondness for people like you.”
He smiled politely, but there was something in her tone — something deeper than curiosity.
She turned toward the window, and in the reflection, Jack caught her eyes — warm, yet carrying a quiet sadness.
“Forgive me if this sounds strange,” she said after a pause, “but have you ever wondered how far a person might go for a place that was never meant for them?”
“I’m not sure I understand… I suppose it depends on the reward?”
She gave a faint, amused smile. “My name is Wilhelma,” she said, slipping a business card into his breast pocket.
“Jack. Jack Gonzalez,” he said, shaking her hand. Her grip was gentle, almost hesitant.
“I don’t think I’ll ever enjoy a flight this peacefully again,” she said, relaxing in her seat. “Gonzalez, you say? Oh, that’s unfortunate. I know a Gonzalez — can’t stand the man. Just the thought of his smug face makes me sick.”
“An ex-husband?” Jack teased.
“God forbid. No. A former colleague. Zurich adores him — he’s a major banker at Wells Shil.
Once upon a time, Wells Shil and Helvetia Bank worked together.
Between us…” she leaned in slightly, “he was involved in dirty business. Because of him, Helvetia nearly lost its reputation.
You’ll find out soon enough — gossip travels faster than truth, but not always far from it.
You’ll meet him eventually. Every newcomer in Zurich does.
Though, for your sake, I hope he dies before that happens.” Her tone was calm — almost sincere.
“I’m not fond of gossip. I prefer to learn things for myself if I have to. His past doesn’t concern me. But you’ve made me curious.”
“For now,” Wilhelma murmured under her breath.
⸻
For the next two hours, they spoke of everything — life, honesty in business, and the things people hide behind their smiles.
She shared stories of old banker friends, of deals that cost some their reputations — and others, their lives.
Jack listened intently, though deep inside, something in her words unsettled him. There was pain hidden behind her calm tone.
And perhaps… a warning.
Wilhelma lingered in his thoughts long after.
When they landed, he felt as though he had said goodbye to someone dear — that’s how deeply the encounter touched him.
⸻
Jack’s hotel had been booked in advance.
He took a slow evening walk through Zurich’s quiet streets.
On the hotel’s first floor was a small restaurant. While waiting for his meal, he read about the city’s famous art galleries.
As he was leaving, he noticed a boy sitting alone by the mirror, staring at his reflection.
Later, a woman — likely his mother — returned to the table.
The Kunsthaus Gallery was magnificent.
After dinner nearby, Jack went back to the hotel.
A few days later, during breakfast, he noticed the same boy again — still staring into the mirror. Jack smiled.
The boy smiled back and came over, sitting across from him. His eyes were strikingly green — almost unnaturally so.
When his mother appeared, Jack nodded politely, and the boy silently walked away.
⸻
The next morning began quietly.
Zurich was waking up — a thin fog rolled along the streets, and sunlight shyly broke through the clouds.
As Jack walked down to the restaurant, he heard the news from a television nearby:
“This morning, the body of businesswoman and owner of Helvetia Bank, Wilhelma Kramer, was found at Zurich Airport. Police suspect foul play. The woman suffered three stab wounds.”
Jack froze.
On the screen — her photo.
Those same eyes he had seen on the plane.
“I hope he dies before you meet him…”
A chill ran through him. The world seemed to stop.
Now he understood — Wilhelma knew she would be killed.
And perhaps she had left the key to the truth… for him.
⸻
Jack pulled the business card from his pocket.
A small white rectangle — light as air.
On it, the Helvetia Bank logo — and a handwritten note:
“Sometimes the truth hides where it’s least expected.”
On the back — numbers: 14.07.21
“A date? A code? A password?” he murmured.
He slipped the card back into his pocket and walked toward the bank.
Now he knew — none of this was a coincidence.
And in the reflection of a nearby shop window, he caught a glimpse of his own face…
and behind him — a shadow.
