The millionaire took pity on the beautiful homeless girl and hired her as a caregiver for his disabled father…

Too many details pointed to Evelyn and Catherine being the same person. But how to prove it? And who to trust with her suspicions? Veronica decided to start small—check if Evelyn was still at that clinic. She dialed the reception number she still remembered.

Clear Meadows Psychiatric Clinic, «Good afternoon,» answered a friendly female voice. «Good afternoon,» Veronica tried to sound calm and confident. «My name is Veronica Benson.

I worked with you as a nurse a year ago. I need information about a patient I worked with—Evelyn.» She faltered, not recalling the last name.

«I’m sorry, but we can’t provide patient information over the phone,» the employee replied. «It’s confidential.» «Of course, I understand,» Veronica agreed quickly.

«But I’d like to visit her if she’s still there.» She was very withdrawn, and I was one of the few she connected with. There was a pause on the other end.

«Please hold, I’ll check the database.» Veronica waited tensely. «If Evelyn is still there, she’ll need to find a way to meet her and uncover the truth.»

Evelyn Porter. Finally, the employee said. «Such a patient was discharged 8 months ago.

Her guardian picked her up, the same one who brought her.» «I see, thank you.» Veronica tried to hide her disappointment.

«And could you tell me where she was transferred?» «Unfortunately, we don’t have that information.» The guardian left no new contacts. Hanging up, Veronica pondered.

«If Evelyn is really Catherine, where is she now? And who is this mysterious guardian?» Suddenly, the library door opened, and Ethan Sinclair entered. Veronica hastily closed all browser tabs. «Veronica?» «Didn’t expect to see you here,» he said with mild surprise.

«Father resting?» «Yes, after massage,» she nodded, trying to look natural. «I decided to use free time to check email.» «Good,» he approved.

«Treat this house as your own.» He approached one of the bookshelves. «I came for documents I forgot this morning.»

«Ah, here they are.» He pulled a folder from the shelf and turned to leave but stopped.

«By the way, I wanted to ask how you’re doing with father?» «No issues?» «All excellent,» she assured him. Constantine is an interesting conversationalist and a disciplined patient. Pleasant to work with.

Glad to hear, Sinclair smiled. You know, yesterday he spoke well of someone from staff for the first time in ages. Said you’re not like a typical caregiver.

From him, that’s high praise. Veronica smiled back. «Thanks for the info.

I’ll try to maintain that reputation.» When Ethan left, she pondered again. Should she tell him about her suspicions? If she’s wrong, it might seem like trying to reopen old wounds.

And if right? Well, first, gather more information. Veronica returned to the computer and opened the search engine. This time, she decided to look for information on Sinclair’s business partners.

Soon she found several articles about Sinclair Construction and its leadership. Ethan was the CEO, and the board included several people, including two deputies—Alex Grayson and Anthony Markham.

Veronica startled seeing Grayson’s photo. It was the same man who brought Evelyn to the clinic. Tall man with dark hair and a cold, calculating gaze.

Now she was sure her suspicions weren’t groundless. She continued studying info on Grayson and Markham. Both were long-time partners of Sinclair; together they founded the company in the 90s.

Grayson handled finances, Markham—legal matters. At first glance, all seemed normal for big business. But then Veronica stumbled on a curious article in a business journal, dated about two years earlier.

It mentioned a conflict among shareholders of Sinclair Construction and possible company split. It noted Grayson and Markham wanted to expand business in a direction Ethan Sinclair considered risky. Could it be about money? Veronica thought.

If Catherine really witnessed some crime by her father’s partners and they staged her death to hide the truth, what exactly could she have learned? Her thoughts were interrupted by a mobile phone ring. It was Anna Paulson. Veronica Benson, Constantine is awake and asking for you.

«Coming right away,» Veronica replied and hurried to her charge. The elder Sinclair met her with a displeased look. «Where have you been?» «I’ve been calling several times.»

«Sorry, Mr. Constantine, I was in the library and didn’t hear the call,» Veronica apologized. «Is something wrong?» «Yes, something is,» the old man grumbled. «I want to go to the garden, and Anna Paulson claims I can’t go down stairs alone.»

«And she’s right,» Veronica said firmly. «After a stroke, you need to be especially careful on stairs. Let me help you.»

The day was beautiful, warm but not hot, with a light breeze carrying the scent of blooming roses. They strolled along neat paths, and the elder Sinclair seemed to enjoy every moment of the walk. «You know, when you lie immobile in bed for weeks, you start appreciating simple things,» he confessed unexpectedly.

Sunlight, fresh air, the ability to move independently. Naturally, Veronica nodded. That’s why it’s important not to despair and keep fighting to return to normal life.

Wise words for such a young woman, the old man snorted. «You remind me of my late wife.» She was an optimist too.

Said there’s no problem that can’t be solved with enough persistence and a good cup of tea. They reached a gazebo entwined with grapevines and sat to rest. «Tell me about your granddaughter,» Veronica asked, seizing the moment.

«What was she like?» Constantine’s face softened. «Katie was… special.

Strong like her father, but with a sensitive soul like her mother. Loved poetry, music, but understood business as well as professionals. Ethan was grooming her to take over.

He sighed. The last year before the incident, she was actively involved in company affairs. She had a special talent for seeing what others missed.

«In what sense?» Veronica asked cautiously. She noticed small details, discrepancies in reports, oddities in contracts, the old man explained. «That didn’t always please our partners.

Especially Grayson—he was used to his financial schemes not being questioned.» Veronica felt her heart race faster. They were getting closer to the truth.

«They didn’t get along?» «Not that they didn’t get along,» Constantine said thoughtfully. Rather, they had different visions for the company’s future. Alex was always inclined to risky operations, while Katie preferred stable, steady growth.

He paused. A month before her death, there was a serious conflict between them over some contract. Katie suspected something and wanted an independent audit.

Grayson was categorically against it. And how did the conflict end? Constantine insisted on the check. But nothing major was found, just minor violations.

Alex was very offended then, even threatened to leave the business. Later, of course, he cooled down. The old man sighed.

And a month later, this tragedy happened. «You know, sometimes I think if we hadn’t insisted on the audit, maybe Katie would be alive.» Veronica decided to risk.

«Do you think her death was caused by that conflict?» Constantine turned sharply to her. «What do you mean?» «Nothing specific,» Veronica hurried to assure. «Just, from your words, she had a conflict with an important person in the company, and soon after, the tragedy occurred.

Are you implying Grayson could be involved?» The old man frowned. «No, that’s impossible. Alex isn’t an angel, of course, but the investigation said the accident was due to brake failure.

A tragic accident.» Veronica decided not to press. «Not time to reveal her suspicions yet, especially to an ill man.

First, find more convincing evidence.» «You’re right, sorry for the inappropriate assumptions,» she said. «I just sympathize with your loss and try to understand what happened.»

Constantine softened. I understand. The death of young people always seems unfair, and we seek some explanation to make sense of senseless tragedy.

But sometimes accidents are just accidents. They returned to the house in silence, each lost in thoughts. Veronica helped the elderly man up the stairs and settle in his room for afternoon rest.

As she was about to leave, Constantine suddenly said «You know what’s strangest? After Katie’s death, Grayson and Markham seemed reborn. They started pushing their ideas even more actively, almost forcing them on Ethan. And before, they respected him.

Maybe they’re just trying to distract him from grief?» Veronica suggested. «Maybe,» the old man replied uncertainly, «but it seems to me they’re… rushing.

As if they fear if they don’t act now, it’ll be too late later.» This remark confirmed Veronica’s suspicions. If Catherine is alive and isolated somewhere, the partners might indeed fear she’ll return someday and expose them.

So she has very little time to find the girl and reveal the truth. Leaving Constantine to rest, Veronica returned to her room and began devising a plan. She needed to learn more about Grayson and Markham, what financial schemes they might be running, and most importantly, where Catherine might be now.

Suddenly, it dawned on her. If Catherine was really at that psychiatric clinic, there should be records of her stay, perhaps medical images or DNA samples. That could be irrefutable proof that Evelyn and Catherine are the same person.

But how to access those records? Veronica no longer worked at the clinic, and they wouldn’t give confidential patient info just like that. She needed someone who could help. And then she remembered Marina, her former colleague and friend, who still worked at Clear Meadows.

Marina always liked Veronica and might help, especially if explained the seriousness. Veronica dialed her friend’s number, but no answer. She left a message asking to call back on important business.

Now all that remained was to wait and hope Marina would respond and not refuse help. In the evening after dinner, when Constantine had gone to sleep, and Ethan hadn’t returned from the office yet, Veronica decided to walk in the garden to clear her head and organize her thoughts. The night air was filled with flower scents and freshness from nearby woods.

Veronica slowly walked along illuminated garden paths, enjoying the silence and peace of the nearby forest. This place could truly become her home if not for the anxious thoughts denying her rest. Suddenly, she heard the sound of an approaching car.

A few minutes later, Ethan Sinclair entered the garden. Seeing Veronica, he headed toward her. «Can’t sleep?» he asked with a slight smile.

«Decided to take a short walk before bed,» she replied. «You have a beautiful garden.» «That’s our gardener Paul Stephens’ credit.

A true fan of his work.» Sinclair paused, then added. «Father says you asked him a lot about Katie today.»

Veronica tensed. Had the old man suspected something and complained to his son? «Yes, we talked about her,» she confirmed cautiously. Constantine started the conversation himself, showing me her photo.

«I didn’t want to stir painful memories.» «It’s fine,» he reassured her. It’s good for father to talk about Katie.

For a while after her death, he closed off, refused even to say her name. «I’m glad now he can remember her without excruciating pain.» They walked slowly along the path, side by side.

«She was a wonderful girl,» Ethan continued. «Talented, smart, with a big heart.» After my wife’s death, Katie became the center of my universe.

I lived for her, worked for her.» He faltered. «Sorry, didn’t mean to burden you with my experiences.»

«It’s nothing,» Veronica replied softly. «Sometimes you need to talk it out.» Sinclair nodded gratefully.

«You know what’s hardest? Not just the loss, but the guilt. I keep thinking I could have changed something, prevented the tragedy. If I’d insisted she fly instead of drive.

If I’d gone to meet her in Austria myself. But you couldn’t know what would happen,» Veronica noted. «No,» he agreed.

«Yet those thoughts haunt me. Especially since Katie was worried about something before leaving. Said she’d found some strange documents, wanted to discuss them with me after returning.

But she never got the chance.» Veronica held her breath. There it was.

Catherine had indeed discovered something important, some crime by her father’s partners. What documents? she asked as casually as possible. «I don’t know exactly,» he shook his head.

She didn’t go into details over the phone, just said it concerned new company projects and that I need to be careful with partners. He sighed. «After her death, I searched for those documents in her office, on her computer, but found nothing.

Perhaps they were with her during the accident and burned with the car.» Or, Veronica thought, the partners made sure those documents disappeared. And isolated Catherine herself so she couldn’t tell about her discovery…