shocking discovery

**Ava's Investigations:**

Ava met Dr. Rachel Kim at the university café.

Dr. Kim seemed nervous, glancing around before speaking lowly:

"Professor Lee's research grants were suspiciously inflated. I questioned him, but he claimed 'university approvals'... which never existed."

Ava thanked Dr. Kim and moved on to Maya Singh.

Maya revealed:

"I saw Professor Lee deleting emails and documents late nights. He ordered me to distract auditors during visits. I transferred departments to escape his wrath."

Ava realized both women feared Professor Lee – solid witnesses for their investigation.

**Ethan's Meeting with Victor:**

Meanwhile, Ethan arrived at Java Corner café, spotting Victor Martinez nervously sipping coffee.

Victor began:

"I discovered embezzlement evidence – ledger discrepancies, fake invoices... Professor Lee threatened my family if I exposed him."

Ethan's eyes widened as Victor handed him a USB drive.

"This contains audit trails, emails, and invoices. But beware, Ethan – your father has powerful allies... and a dangerous secret about **your mother**."

Ethan's face turned pale. "What about my mother? Tell me!"

Victor glanced around nervously before whispering:

"Professor Lee wasn't just hiding his son – he was hiding your mother's death wasn't an accident..."

Ethan rushed back to his dorm room, finding Ava already there, laptop open with notes from her investigations.

"Ava, we need to talk – now," Ethan said urgently, closing the door behind him.

Ava sensed his distress. "What happened with Victor Martinez? Your face looks like you've seen a ghost."

Ethan collapsed onto the bed, rubbing his temples.

"Victor gave me evidence against my father... but also revealed something about my family – something horrific."

Ava sat beside him, gentle hands on his arms.

"Tell me, Ethan. What did Victor say?"

Ethan took a deep breath before whispering:

"My mother's death... it wasn't an accident. Victor implied Father was involved – maybe even caused it."

Ava's eyes widened in shock as she pulled Ethan close.

"Oh my god, Ethan... this changes everything. Your father's evil goes beyond corruption – to murder?"

Ethan nodded slowly, tears brimming.

"I feel betrayed on every level. Family, trust, love – everything was a lie. Ava, I need your help to uncover the truth about my mother's death and bring Father down."

Ava held him fiercely.

"We'll do this together, Ethan. Always."

Just then, Ava's phone buzzed – a text from an unknown number:

"Ethan Blackwood's secrets are just beginning to unravel. Meet me if you want the truth about his mother's death."

Ava showed Ethan the mysterious text:

"'Ethan Blackwood's secrets are just beginning to unravel. Meet me if you want the truth about his mother's death.'"

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "This sender knows something about my mother... We need to meet them, Ava."

Ava agreed, responding to the text:

"Who is this? Where do you want to meet?"

The response came quickly:

"My name is Sarah Taylor. Ethan's mother, Julia, was my closest friend. Meet me at Riverside Park bench 14 at 2 pm. Come alone, but Ethan must attend."

Ethan's eyes widened. "Sarah Taylor... Mother mentioned her often! She must know everything."

At 2 pm, Ava and Ethan arrived at Riverside Park, spotting Sarah Taylor – a woman in her mid-50s with kind eyes – sitting on bench 14.

Sarah embraced Ethan warmly. "Julia would want me to tell you the truth now. Your father..."

Ethan leaned in intensely. "Yes, please – what about him?"

Sarah took a deep breath.

"Professor Lee was having an affair. Julia discovered his corruption and embezzlement schemes. She threatened to expose him – the night she died in that 'car accident'... was actually a deliberate crash. Your father killed her, Ethan."

Ava gasped while Ethan's world shattered.

**TO BE CONTINUED

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