Vincent turned around slowly to face the two guards standing near the entrance.
His main security officer, Arthur, stood completely still without showing any emotion.
Arthur had worked for Vincent's powerful father for more than thirty years.
He was the man who had protected the family business through every major crisis.
Vincent looked closely at Arthur's face and noticed a subtle change in his eyes.
Vincent: Is she telling the truth, Arthur?
Arthur: You should not have come to this place today, Vincent.
Vincent: Answer my question right now.
Arthur: Your father hired me to protect this family from unnecessary pain.
The waitress took a quick step back toward the kitchen doors.
Her name tag read Clara, and her eyes were filled with ancient sorrow.
Clara: He paid me to disappear three decades ago, Vincent.
Clara: I took the money because I was terrified for my own children.
Vincent: What happened to my mother on that night?
Clara: She discovered the illegal transfers in your father's corporate accounts.
Clara: She threatened to go to the police with the whole estate ledger.
Vincent felt a sharp pain in his chest as the narrative shattered.
His entire childhood memories had been built upon a massive, carefully crafted lie.
He picked up the heavy brass keys from the counter with cold fingers.
Vincent: Where did she go after you helped her leave?
Clara: I drove her to the old train station near the northern border.
Clara: But Arthur was waiting at the platform before she could board.
Vincent locked eyes with his trusted security chief.
Vincent: What did you do to her, Arthur?
Arthur: I did what was required to protect the empire, Vincent.
Arthur: And now you are making the exact same mistake she made.
Arthur reached inside his tailored coat as the tension peaked.