chapter 112

Alana’s point of view.

"Fantastic, let's get going," Alec beamed, slipping his hand into mine and giving it a reassuring squeeze. I couldn’t believe how willingly he’d do all of this, get me out of a tricky situation without any hesitations. We made our way back to the meeting room, where anticipation hung thick in the air. Killian, with a promising look in his eyes, caught Alec's attention. Intrigued by their silent communication, my curiosity peaked—perhaps Killian had uncovered something crucial during his investigation.

"What's up?" Alec inquired in a hushed tone as we approached Killian.

"So, I did some digging, and it turns out Suzanne's family might have ties with StarView Investments. It's hidden and deep, but I think we'll be able to link her to them," Killian revealed, prompting both Alec and me to exchange surprised glances.

"Seriously?" I asked, a frown etching my face. Could this whole situation be a carefully orchestrated scheme? Was Suzanne truly capable of orchestrating something this sinister?

"I did some light research," Killian proudly stated, crossing his arms with a smirk. Alec chimed in teasingly, "That's code for stalking in Killian's world."

"Don't make me delete everything I've found," Killian playfully threatened, though I hoped it was just a jest.

"No, please continue," Alec encouraged him kindly.

"Well, the Cooks have these annual family outings, and although they only post pictures of themselves, I noticed that three times the little sister, Serena Cook, accidentally included someone in the photo or video," Killian explained, revealing the incriminating evidence. As he spoke, he showed us the photos he had discovered. "He seems to be the son of Sutherland, but I have to do some more digging," Killian continued, dropping the bombshell that left my jaw hanging. Landon Sutherland, the CEO of StarView Investment, was the apparent link.

"You're telling me that the Sutherlands are invited to their private family outings? That's a lot," Alec remarked, his brow furrowing as he rubbed his chin and studied the photos. The resemblance was undeniable—the guy in the family photo of Landon Sutherland matched the one accidentally captured in Serena Cook's photo.

"I know, and according to Sutherland's daughter's social media page, she was at every place the annual outing is held every year. But the two families never post each other until, of course, Suzanne's sister accidentally got son Sutherland in the picture," Killian concluded, leaning back in his chair as he eyed us expectantly. The revelation hung in the air, stirring a mix of disbelief and determination as we processed the potential connections.

"What does this mean for us?" I turned to Alec, sensing that he had a plan brewing in his mind.

"Well, for starters, I think it's time we prepare the papers so I can buy her out and cancel the contract with Jinko Co," Alec contemplated, glancing over at our teams. "Afterward, let your PR team know that you've cut ties with Jinko. Make it clear that you had no idea they were linked to StarView Investments," he advised, and I readily agreed without hesitation.

***

Following Alec's guidance, I executed every step with trust in him. As I signed away 50% of my share, a peculiar knot tightened in my stomach, but I pushed through, determined to weather the storm. The first order of business was contacting my investors to inform them about my new partner. However, before that, I had to deal with Jinko Co.

In a call with them, I disclosed the change, explaining that my partner disagreed with the contract. Predictably, Jinko Co did not take the news well and tried to resist. I swiftly sent them the contract they signed, highlighting the part that emphasized my rights in the matter. Reluctantly, they conceded, realizing there was nothing they could do. They assured me they would cancel their wiring, but at that point, I had little interest in their money now that I knew its tainted origin.

My PR team acted swiftly, announcing the situation. They framed it as an unintentional oversight, clarifying that I wasn't aware Jinko Co was part of StarView Investment. The statement emphasized that my business partner and I had jointly decided to terminate the contract. Now, all that remained was checking in with the other investors.

To my relief, they all greeted the news with enthusiasm. Alec's involvement in the business brought reassurance, and the collective joy that Jinko Co was no longer in the picture was palpable. It was safe to say the crisis had been averted. I owed Alec, Killian, and their team a massive thank you. Left to my own devices, I would have never considered selling 50% of my share as a solution.

As the days unfolded, marking three since the resolution of the chaos, a newfound sense of normalcy embraced us. My focus shifted seamlessly to the crucial task of selecting a new lead actress for the film. The audition process had been thorough, presenting numerous talented individuals trying for the role. Through careful consideration, I had successfully narrowed down the choices to a handful of promising candidates, leaving the final decision in Naomi's hands. The ones I picked for her all had talent and the looks of the main character so whoever she’d choose would work fine for me.

Meanwhile, Killian continued to wield his detective prowess in the ongoing Cook and Sutherland drama, steadily unearthing more about their intricate web of hidden connections. The revelation unfolded that Suzanne's father, David Cook, had a long-lost brother named Landon. A shadowy figure in the family's past, Landon Cook had mysteriously disappeared in his teen years way before the Cooks became a public eye figure and Landon Cook then began to resurface as Landon Sutherland. The two brothers, David and Landon, had masterfully concealed their tracks, maintaining a secret alliance that worked great for them both. Suzanne's attempt to disrupt my work now stood exposed as a plot rooted in familial ties.

Powered by a steadfast belief in swift justice, I took a decisive step. I strategically leaked all gathered information to the media, unveiling the Cook family's concealed connection to the Sutherlands. The evidence, including damning photos, left no room for denial. The meticulously crafted image of the Cooks as a perfect, innocent, and nature-loving family crumbled beneath the weight of their support for the environmentally destructive practices of the Sutherlands. The media eagerly seized the opportunity, subjecting the once-pristine reputation of the Cook family to intense scrutiny.

In the grander scheme of this eventful month, one marred by scandals and revelations, it proved to be a lucrative period for many companies. The Daniel case, the Max incident, and now the Cooks and Sutherland fiasco served sensational, trending stories for the media, ensuring a seemingly great payday for them.

Presently, Alec and I found ourselves in my office, savoring the sweet taste of victory over a leisurely lunch. The air was charged with a sense of triumphant satisfaction until, unexpectedly, the office door burst open. Both Alec and I, momentarily caught off guard, instinctively tensed until we realized it was Killian, accompanied by my assistant. Their hurried entrance carried an unmistakable air of urgency and excitement, injecting a new dimension into the unfolding narrative.

Mia's worried expression reflected the urgency in her words. "I tried to tell him you're busy."

"It's okay, Mia, you can go," I assured her, sensing from Killian's demeanor that something was amiss.

Alec shut the door behind Killian, concerned about etching his features. "Is everything okay?"

"Sebastian Cook," Killian stated bluntly, leaving us both puzzled. Why would Suzanne's brother be the topic of conversation?

Alec, ever direct, asked, "What's wrong with Sebastian?"

Killian delved into the revelation, connecting dots we hadn't even realized existed. "Casey's car accident, remember how they mentioned a green car but we couldn't find any green cars?" he prompted, and Alec nodded in recollection. The mysterious circumstances surrounding Luke and Andrea's daughter's accident had slipped my mind.

"The paint scratches on Casey's car were more blue than green, and the ornament—remember the ornament?" Killian continued without allowing us a chance to respond. "Well, it turns out the reason why we didn't see any green cars was that it was blue! The blue car was transported away from the scene, concealed, but they dropped their license plate– which I recently found out from the police department there. They too can’t believe the evidence wasn’t mentioned. I asked someone at the station to run the plates, and nothing came up," he added, leaving us hanging in confusion.

"Okay, Killian," I hummed, trying to piece together the information.

"Look what I just found," he shared a photo on his tablet. It depicted Sebastian standing near a blue sports car from years ago, and the license plates matched the one found at the accident scene. "This car of his has never been posted again after the accident. Sebastian is a car freak, he shows off his cars at least once a day, and there has been no mention of this blue one, although it's the second most expensive one he owns," Killian concluded, shedding light on a potentially crucial discovery.

"Are you telling me that the Cooks are responsible for Casey's death?" Alec ran his fingers through his hair, grappling with the gravity of the situation.

"I'm not sure, but I passed the tip onto the cops," Killian informed us.

"What a small world it is," I muttered, the realization sinking in.