Chapter 6
Rachel left the alley with the flash drive clutched tightly in her hand. Her fingers trembled as she walked down the busy street, the weight of everything finally sinking in. This wasn’t just about Helen anymore. It was about exposing the truth—no matter how ugly it was or who it destroyed.
She found a quiet café and took a seat in the back. Pulling out her laptop, she plugged in the drive. It took a moment to load. Then, folder by folder, Helen’s final days came to life on the screen.
There were voice memos, text screenshots, photos… all carefully organized by Helen. As if she’d known she was running out of time.
Rachel clicked on a folder labeled “Michelle – URGENT.”
Inside were photos of emails between Michelle and a man named Gregory Chen—a producer with a long history of misconduct, though he had always walked free. There were compromising messages, payments, and even a contract—Michelle had exchanged more than favors for fame. And worse… she had silenced those who tried to speak up.
The final file was a video.
Rachel hesitated, then hit play.
Helen appeared on the screen, sitting on her bed. Her face was pale, her eyes tired.
“If you’re watching this,” she began, “I probably didn’t make it. I don’t know if it was Michelle, or someone she hired, or just a sick twist of fate… but I can’t stay quiet anymore. Michelle sold her soul for fame. And now that I know, she wants me gone. Rachel, if you’re the one who finds this, I’m sorry for everything. I should’ve trusted you. Please… don’t let her get away with this.”
Rachel sat there, frozen, tears running down her face. Helen had known she was in danger—and she had still trusted Rachel in the end.
This was the kind of evidence that could shatter careers, destroy reputations, and send people to jail. But Rachel couldn’t take it to the police yet. Not without knowing how deep the corruption ran.
She needed to be smart.
She needed someone powerful on her side.
And she knew exactly who that could be—Eric.
He still believed she was dead. But if she could get to him, if she could show him the truth… maybe he’d listen. Maybe he’d finally see what Michelle really was.
But it would be dangerous. If Michelle found out Rachel was still alive, she wouldn’t hesitate to strike again.
That night, Rachel didn’t sleep.
She packed a small bag, made several copies of the drive, and sent one to a lawyer she trusted under a fake name.
Then she stood at the edge of the city, staring up at the tall building that housed Lang Corporation.
Michelle’s empire.
Eric’s kingdom.
And soon, her battlefield.
It was time for the ghost to come back to life.