**Chapter 28** “I don’t know the password. My dad didn’t tell me the password before he passed.” Avery Tate’s brow furrowed as she shook her head, determination mingled with confusion in her voice. She wasn’t lying—not a single word of it. Jack Tate, her father, had kept the secrets of his company tightly guarded, sealing away the crucial details of his legacy, including any vital last messages pertaining to a password. So many individuals had crowded the room during his final moments; if he had uttered it, surely someone other than her would know. “Uncle Locklyn, why don’t I go back and ask my mom?” Avery suggested earnestly to the vice president, her voice laced with hope. “When I last saw Dad, he shared only a few words with me. Perhaps my mom might remember something more.” Locklyn, the vice president, didn’t hesitate. “That’s a wise idea. But remember, you cannot breathe a word of this to anyone. It’s a closely guarded secret of our company. I confide in you because you are President Tate’s appointed heir.” Avery cast a fleeting glance at the ominous safe, a heavy weight in her chest. A disquieting voice echoed in her mind—this secret was passed down to her solely because they had exhausted every option in their quest to breach that locked vault. If they could have opened it in secrecy, they would have seized its contents without involving her at all. “I promise, I won’t tell a soul,” she assured him, pacing toward the door as Locklyn stepped alongside her. “But apart from you, who else is aware of this situation?” “Two other technicians,” he replied, his tone conspiratorial. “They were your father’s trusted aides, loyal for many years. Once we crack this, and the time comes to sell, we’ll split the profits down the middle. How does that sound?” Avery nodded, a flicker of determination igniting within her. “Then I’ll head home and consult my mom about the password.” “Alright, Tate. I just want you to understand—this isn’t a matter of persistence. Outside of this room, your father’s company isn’t seen as a team; they’re only interested in the system we’ve developed. When the moment arrives, we may very well be pushed aside. It’s a tough decision I’ve made,” Locklyn explained, his voice strained with a hint of regret. “I understand completely,” Avery replied, a shadow of worry forming as she looked up at him. “But what if I can’t remember the right password?” Locklyn’s expression darkened, concern etched into his features. “Your father must have left you clues or signals when he passed the mantle to you at some point. Return home and think it over carefully.” “Okay,” she agreed, the notion swirling in her mind like restless leaves caught in the wind. Stepping out of the corporate confines, Avery hailed a taxi and returned to her childhood home. The air inside was familiar and warm, yet tinged with the weight of loss. Laura Jensen, her mother, was busy washing vegetables when Avery entered. “Tate, why did Cole Foster seek you out? I thought the two of you had ended things?” her mother inquired, raising an eyebrow with genuine concern. Avery took a sip of water, gathering her thoughts before replying, “He was attacked by Elliot Foster. He wanted to retaliate—he thought to use me to confront him.” Laura’s expression shifted dramatically, eyes wide with alarm. “Tate, you wouldn’t even consider that, would you?!” “How could I? Mom, killing someone is far beyond what I would ever do. Do you really think so little of me?” Avery challenged, her voice a mix of indignation and hurt. A sigh of relief swept over Laura’s face. “You’ve matured, yet you keep so many things from me. Like, for instance, your pregnancy… If Elliot hadn’t forced you to abort, how long would you have planned to conceal it from me?” Avery stepped closer, wrapping her arms around her mother. “Mom, the truth is, I didn’t even realize I was pregnant until it was far too late. By the way, do you know where Dad’s belongings are kept?” For a heartbeat, Laura froze, discomfort washing over her features. “Tate, your father and I divorced ages ago. When he passed, his belongings were no longer mine to manage. But why are you asking about them?” Avery shared the recent developments with her. “I need to figure out a six-digit code for the safe. Did Dad ever mention anything like that to you?” Laura shook her head slowly, sadness cloaking her words. “He never spoke of any passwords. He just kept saying he was sorry, tears streaming down his face. I can’t deny it—there were times I hated him, but the image of him on his deathbed softens everything… In the end, what good does harboring hatred do when the person is already gone?” “Mom,” Avery said softly, feeling a surge of emotion. “The Vice President told me that Dad didn’t pass the company to me so that I would inherit his debts. He claimed there’s a system Dad created that could be sold for a significant amount of money.” Avery’s breath hitched, caught in the tumult of her feelings as the weight of their conversation settled heavily around them, like a storm ready to break. The complexity of her father’s legacy was beginning to unfold, yet uncertainty loomed large amid the revelation.