Chapter 146: The file was accessed.

Words : 1214 Updated : Sep 29th, 2025

"The rescue team found a body a few kilometers away from the accident site," Nathaniel continued with a heavy heart. "Although his face was damaged and unrecognizable, his belongings confirmed it’s him. The forensic test is yet to be done. But the cops believe it’s his body." Zara rested her hand on his shoulder, offering silent comfort. "I don’t know what to think and what not to." His hands trembled slightly as he wiped his face, breathing out a long, heavy sigh. "Everything is pointing at one thing—he is dead. But my heart is refusing to believe that he is gone." Zara leaned in and wrapped her arms around him, holding him close. She didn’t speak, knowing words would fail him now. To Nathaniel, Roberto had never been merely an assistant—he was like a brother, a dependable friend, a loyal companion who had always stood by his side. Zara could sense the depth of his loss and chose silence over speech, simply remaining close and offering the quiet strength of her presence. After a moment, he spoke again with suspicion as much as sorrow. "I still don’t understand why he was on that side of the city. Where was he heading?" Zara pulled back slightly, lifting her brows, studying his troubled face. Nathaniel shook his head, frustration bleeding into his expression. "We were supposed to attend a meeting with the client. He knew how important this meeting was. I worked on the negotiation terms the whole night. And he..." He faltered, bewildered. "I don’t know where he was going in those early hours of the morning. Something doesn’t sit right." "Do you think there is more to it than just an accident?" Zara pressed. "Could someone have intentionally targeted him? Maybe a business rival...or a personal enemy?" "I don’t know," he said with a weary sigh. "As far as I know, he didn’t have enemies. And no...it can’t be business rivalry. We have only ever had one competitor, and that’s Zachary..." His words trailed off mid-sentence, his expression tightening. A memory resurfaced—Roberto had once told him he had seen Riya with Zachary. The thought had stirred his suspicions back then, prompting him to ask Roberto to look into Zachary and uncover whether he had any hidden agenda in approaching Riya. How could he have overlooked such a crucial detail? A wave of unease churned through him. What if Roberto had discovered something dangerous about Zachary—something that cost him his life? Was that why he had been on the highway so early that morning, possibly trying to escape? Nathaniel’s face grew tense with realization. "I remember something." He abruptly rose to his feet and strode toward the study. "Nathaniel," Zara called, quickly rising to her feet. "At least freshen up and have something to eat first." But he had already disappeared into the study. Left behind, she stood still, her eyes fixed on the closed door upstairs. Inside the study... Nathaniel settled into the chair behind his desk and flipped open his laptop. To his surprise, the screen was already lit up. "What the..." he muttered. He was certain he had shut it down the previous night. How could it still be running? Had someone been inside his study in his absence? The thought unsettled him. His laptop contained sensitive files, and if anyone had accessed those critical business details, the consequences for his company could be devastating. His fingers flew across the keyboard, desperate, trembling. He didn’t even realize he was holding his breath until his eye stumbled over the system log window, something he always kept docked for habit’s sake. It showed an entry that hadn’t been present yesterday. A USB device had been connected. His brow furrowed. He hadn’t used a pen drive in months. Clicking deeper, he found the timestamp. His stomach tightened. He checked the file access history, pulse quickening when he saw the last opened document: his project draft. Someone had gone through it. For a moment, he remained still, his thoughts racing as he tried to make sense of who might have accessed his laptop in his absence. One name rushed into his mind – Zara. She often came into the study to tidy up. Could it have been her? The idea unsettled him. She had never touched his things before, yet suspicion crept in. What if she had been meddling with his files? Could she be trying to steal sensitive company information? But for what purpose? Countless questions stormed through his mind, leaving him restless. ’She can’t do that,’ he thought. But she was home all day. She should have known who had entered the study. How could she let someone touch his laptop? That question added to his fury. "Zara." Nathaniel’s voice rang out sharply, echoing down the hallway and startling Zara out of her routine in the kitchen. She rushed in, wiping her damp hands on her apron. "What happened? Why are you shouting?" Her brows furrowed with concern. Nathaniel sat rigid behind his desk, his eyes burning as he shot her a fierce glare. "Did you come to my study while I wasn’t here? Did you open the laptop?" Zara blinked, stunned. "What are you talking about?" "My laptop," he snapped, jabbing a finger at the screen. "I shut it down last night. Now it’s on. Files—open." His teeth ground together. Confidential numbers, private deals... if that data were gone, he would be ruined. The suspicion in his voice pierced her heart. "Are you accusing me?" "You were home," he pressed. "If not you, then who? Who has entered here? You should have noticed it." His gaze was a blade, cutting into her. He hated it—hated anyone laying hands on his belongings, especially his laptop. And now... the file was opened, accessed. Across from him, Zara stiffened. Her throat bobbed, her lashes trembling as unshed tears shimmered in her eyes. ’He suspects me...Again.’ He had vowed never to let suspicion come between them again. But that promise was already lost, forgotten. No matter what she did, his doubts would always return. "I didn’t enter the study today," she said defiantly. "I don’t know if your laptop was powered on or off. And I have no idea who else came in here." She held his gaze for one beat longer. "Think whatever you want. I don’t want to explain anything." She stormed out. A single tear slipped down her cheek as she fled down the hallway. Behind her, Nathaniel sat rigidly. His chest felt heavy, his stomach sinking like a stone as he recalled tears in her eyes. He had questioned her out of anger and suspicion. "Shit..." Regret twisted inside him. Roberto’s accident had left him shaken to the core—broken, brittle, and restless. He had been spiraling, snapping under the weight of it all, and Zara had taken the brunt of his storm. He hadn’t meant to hurt her, but his words and actions had wounded her. With a heavy breath, Nathaniel leaned back and let his head fall against the chair. His fingers pressed hard against the bridge of his nose, trying to hold back the torrent of frustration eating him alive. "Why am I making mistake after mistake?" he muttered. "Am I really that terrible?"

Chapter 146: The file was accessed.

Comments (0)