One name appeared repeatedly.

Richard Vale.

Vanessa's father.

Clara stared at Julian.

"Her father?"

Julian nodded slowly.

"Why would he be involved?"

"I don't know."

The records suggested that Richard Vale had been negotiating a major property deal with Julian's father twenty years ago.

Evelyn had opposed it.

She had discovered something.

Something powerful enough to threaten both families.

Then she disappeared.

Julian's hands trembled.

"All these years..."

Clara looked at him.

"You were a child."

"I should have found her."

"You couldn't."

"I should have tried harder."

Clara stepped closer.

"Julian, you were a child."

For the first time, he looked directly into her eyes.

And Clara saw the guilt he had carried for twenty years.