Chapter 291

Matthew and Lindey had been like family, but I'd been terrified that all that love might have been a lie. Could I truly trust Thorsten's word? I knew I shouldn't have been so paranoid, but after losing my parents, it was difficult not to be. I wanted to ask more, to get to the bottom of everything, but the words caught in my throat. So I remained silent.

"You probably didn't know this, but Matthew had a secret stash," Thorsten said, surprising me. He chuckled softly. "Relax. It's not what you think. Matthew and I are completely different."

I couldn't help but smile. So Thorsten did possess some self-awareness after all. The internet teemed with gossip about his playboy antics—countless girlfriends, yet only one child, Cole.

"Matthew and Lindey had a great relationship," I said, attempting to steer the conversation to safer ground. Thorsten laughed again; I couldn't decipher whether he found me amusing or simply naive. "Matthew's stash wasn't just a rainy-day fund. It was the money from that big contract years ago, plus all the profits since."

He paused, giving me a searching look. "And it was all in Alan's name. It was meant for him."

I was stunned. I'd been at RiverwaveCorp for years and knew nothing of this. Matthew had never mentioned a word.

"Matthew said that money was earned at the cost of Alan's life," Thorsten explained. "He didn't feel right using it. Spending it would only remind him of the guilt, so every cent from that project went into Alan's account. He said that one day, when you get married, it'll be yours. Consider it a gift from your late parents." Tears streamed down my face.

Guilt pierced me. Matthew had done all this for my dad and me, and I'd doubted them. "Keira," Thorsten said, his voice firm, "Matthew never let Alan down." He not only didn't let my dad down, but he felt so guilty about that contract that he treated me better than his own son.

"What a pity," Thorsten sighed.

I wasn't sure what he meant, but I lacked the heart to ask.

"Thank you, Mr. Drago," I said, my voice trembling, before turning and walking away.

I drove for what felt like an eternity before finally pulling over. I sat there, staring blankly out the windshield.

Chapter 292

Even though Matthew's actions deeply moved me, I couldn't rely solely on Thorsten's words. I needed to discover the truth myself.

I drove straight to the traffic police station to request the records of my parents' car accident.

"Sorry, this file is too old. To access it, you'll need to make an appointment and provide proof of your relationship with the victims," the officer said.

Proof of relationship? Did I really have to prove my dad was my dad? Frustration welled up inside me, and I was about to speak when a voice interrupted, "Register her information and get it done."

"Understood, Chief," the officer replied, instantly professional.

I turned to see who'd intervened—and then I saw him. Jace stood there, beside the Chief. The Chief, a stranger to me, had spoken up because Jace must have put in a word.

"May I have your ID, please?" the staff member asked, snapping me back to reality. I quickly handed it over.

After registering my information, they began searching the computer files. I stood there, nerves on edge, when I sensed someone approach. I glanced over…