The Girl Who Knew Nothing

Chapter 1:

Page 1

Rain had a way of hiding secrets.

On that cold autumn evening, the streets of Ashridge shimmered beneath silver streetlights as relentless rain poured from the dark sky. Thunder rumbled in the distance, swallowing every sound the sleeping city tried to make.

High above the city, on the top floor of Blackwood Apex Corporation, the lights of a private conference room remained on.

Only two men occupied the room.

One was a respected businessman whose dream had built the foundation of a growing empire.

The other was the man he trusted more than anyone else.

David Williams smiled as he loosened his tie.

"It still feels unreal," he said, looking through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the glittering city below. "Years ago, we were working from a tiny rented office. Now look at us."

Matthew Carter stood beside the polished mahogany table, uncorking an expensive bottle of red wine.

"We've come a long way."

He poured two glasses with steady hands.

The rich crimson wine shimmered beneath the soft lights.

Matthew slid one glass across the table.

David accepted it with a grateful smile.

"To friendship," David said, raising his glass.

Matthew lifted his own.

"To our future."

Crystal met crystal with a gentle clink.

David took a long drink.

Matthew merely touched the rim of his glass to his lips.

Neither man spoke for a moment.

Rain drummed softly against the windows.

David leaned back in his chair.

"When this new expansion is complete, Blackwood Apex will become one of the biggest corporations in the country."

Matthew nodded.

"That's the plan."

David smiled.

"My children will finally have the future I've always wanted for them."

For the first time that evening, something flickered across Matthew's eyes.

It disappeared almost instantly.

A sharp pain suddenly pierced David's chest.

He frowned.

"...That's strange."

He pressed a hand against his chest as another wave of pain spread through his body.

His breathing became shallow.

The room slowly tilted around him.

"Matthew..."

His voice was barely above a whisper.

"I... I don't..."

The wine glass slipped from his hand.

It crashed against the marble floor, shattering into dozens of glittering pieces.

David struggled to stand.

His knees buckled.

He collapsed heavily onto the floor.

His vision blurred.

Every breath became more difficult than the last.

He stared at Matthew.

Confusion filled his eyes.

"Why...?"

Matthew calmly placed his untouched wine glass on the table.

He stopped a few feet away and looked down at the man who had trusted him with his life.

His voice was calm.

Cold.

Almost gentle.

"You should have trusted me less."

David's eyes widened.

His lips moved, but no words came out.

Seconds later...

He stopped breathing.

Silence filled the room.

Matthew adjusted the sleeve of his suit, picked up a handkerchief, and carefully wiped the glass he had never truly drunk from.

He glanced at David one last time before switching off the conference room lights.

Darkness swallowed the room.

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