Chapter Three: Web of Deceit

Ava nodded, her heart racing with anticipation. "What is it, Ethan?"

Ethan took a deep breath before speaking. "Father's been involved in some shady dealings, Ava. He's been embezzling funds from the company and using them for his own personal gain and he plans to give it to Sophia, their step-sister."

Ava's eyes widened in shock. "What? The same company mother left behind. Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?" Ava asked, feeling a mix of emotions: anger, sadness, and betrayal.

"What can we do, Ava ?" Ethan asked, his voice firm and resolute.

Ava smiled, a look of relief on her face. "I'm glad you're on board, Ethan. We need to gather evidence and take it to the authorities. We need to make sure that Father is held accountable for his actions."

"Now that I know more about this it's high time I take action and get back what belongs to me" Ava said. She was going to make sure that her father paid for what he had done.

As they sat on the bench, making plans and strategizing, Ava felt a sense of hope. She knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but she was ready to face it head-on. She was ready to fight for what was right meant to be hers.

But as they were about to leave the park, Ava saw a figure watching them from across the street. It was a woman with long, curly hair and a scar above her left eyebrow. Ava felt a shiver run down her spine as the woman's eyes locked onto hers.

"Who's that?" Ava asked Ethan, nodding towards the woman.

Ethan followed her gaze, his expression darkening. "I don't know, but I don't like it. Let's get out of here, Ava."

As they quickly left the park, Ava couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She didn't know who the woman was, but she knew that she was somehow connected to the family business. And Ava was determined to find out what that connection was.

As Ava and Ethan parted ways, Ava couldn't shake off the feeling that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't even imagine. She was ready to fight on the battle coming. 

As she walked back to her apartment, Ava's mind was racing with thoughts and questions. She couldn't believe that her father made things more worse. And what about Ethan? Why had he kept quiet about it for so long?

Just as Ava was about to enter her apartment, her phone rang. It was her father.

"Ava, I hear you're back in town," he said, his voice dripping with false warmth.

Ava's instincts told her to be cautious. "Yes, Father. I just arrived today." "Good, good. I'm glad you're back. I have someone I want you to meet."

Ava's heart sank. She knew that tone all too well. Her father was up to something, and she wasn't going to like it.

"Who is it, Father?" Ava asked, trying to keep her tone neutral. When you get back home I'll talk more about it.

Ava then called her brother, Ethan again. Father called me just now, how did he know that I was back in town and he told me he wants me to meet with someone . I hope it's not what I'm thinking and the woman we saw at the coffee shop hope it wasn't sent by father since he knew about my return.

"Maybe we are being stalked by father", Ethan said. But sister you have to calm down and listen to what he has to say. "I don't care whatever he's got in mind to do

I just know that there's nothing that can stop me from achieving my aim because "Ava replied. I will be going back to the house tomorrow morning and see the pranks they want to pull out.

I just called to let you know what's happening now, "Ava told her brother. Don't think much about it" Ethan said. Have a good night rest sister!

Ava shrugged the matter for the time being and she decided to just order some take outs since she has not stocked up her kitchen.

As Ava waited for her takeout to arrive, she couldn't still shake off the feeling that something was off because of her father's call. "Anyways I will face it tomorrow", she said.

When the doorbell rang, Ava got up to answer it. She paid for the takeout and brought it back to the living room and then she had her meal and slept ready to face what's was coming for her.