Chapter 5 - THE FATHER WHO TAUGHT HER TO LISTEN
That evening, Nina returned to the small apartment she shared with her father.
Thomas Whitmore sat beside the window in his favorite armchair.
A blanket covered his knees.
His hands trembled slightly as he turned the pages of a newspaper.
"You're late," he said.
Nina smiled.
"Long day."
He looked up.
"Something happened."
She laughed.
"How do you always know?"
"Because you have the same expression you wore when you won the regional debate championship."
Nina sat beside him.
Then told him everything.
The meeting.
The contract.
The hidden clauses.
Adrien Moretti.
Her father's expression grew serious.
"Moretti?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
He was quiet.
Then asked:
"Did you read the entire document?"
"No. Just the clauses they were discussing."
Thomas looked toward the window.
"Nina, be careful."
She frowned.
"Why?"
He hesitated.
"Men who hide dangerous things inside contracts rarely appreciate being exposed."
Nina smiled faintly.
"I know."
Thomas reached for her hand.
"You did the right thing."
Her eyes filled.
"I almost stayed quiet."
He squeezed her fingers.
"But you didn't."
May you like
Then he said something she would remember for the rest of her life.
"Being invisible can protect you, sweetheart. But sometimes it protects the wrong people."
