### Chapter 32 Avery found herself in the imposing conference room of Tate Industries, the air heavy with anticipation. The weekend had turned out to be anything but ordinary, as she stood across from Shaun. “We need to open the safe without delay, Avery,” Shaun urged, his voice taut with urgency. “Mr. Hertz has been relentless, demanding a decision. I’m caught in a web of options—I can either tell him the truth or fabricate a story. But without solid evidence, I'm utterly at a standstill!” Avery nodded gravely, pulling a folded piece of paper from her pocket. “Last night, I jotted down some numbers that could be significant. I believe my father’s passcode might be related to these.” Shaun snatched the paper from her fingers, scanning the figures with a scrutinizing gaze. A flicker of hope crossed his face. “Let’s give it a shot right now!” They made their way to the hidden chamber, an air of determination enveloping them as they approached the imposing safe nestled in the shadows. What followed, however, was a series of frustratingly repeated failures. Avery’s brow knitted in concentration, and a heavy sigh escaped her lips. “Do you think Wanda might know the code?” she ventured. “The passcode for our front door is based on my dad's and Wanda's birthdays. He cared for her deeply before he fell ill.” Shaun shook his head, brows furrowing deeper. “If she possessed any knowledge of the value locked away in that safe, she would have surely taken it with her when she left.” Avery's mind raced, a storm of anxiety brewing within. “Is it possible someone has already pilfered its contents?” she asked cautiously. “Absolutely not!” Shaun barked, his voice laced with conviction. “I review the surveillance footage daily. This room has seen no visitors other than us.” She pondered this for a heartbeat, then murmured, “Is there any other way to access the safe without the code? I’m at a loss for ideas beyond these numbers.” Shaun’s expression darkened; he began to pace restlessly. “There could be an alternative,” he mused, revealing a hint of desperation. “If we can’t unlock the code, our only option may be to force the safe open. But this method comes with severe risks. It could ruin the contents.” Avery’s silence lingered, the weight of their situation hanging in the air like a thick fog. “Let me think it through!” Shaun finally broke the silence, his resolve hardening. “If we can’t crack it, we'll have to resort to breaking in.” Avery hesitated, as though weighing her own thoughts. “Alright,” she said slowly, “I understand.” “Avery,” Shaun shifted the topic, a suspicious glint in his eye, “are you familiar with Elliot Foster?” “I’m not,” she replied, shaking her head uncertainly. “Had I known him, I would’ve sought his help by now.” “Really? Because a friend mentioned they spotted you in the elite district where he resides just yesterday,” Shaun pressed, his tone probing. Avery felt heat rush to her cheeks, her pulse quickening. “Oh… I have a friend in that area. We had a conversation to catch up, that’s all.” “Ah, I see,” Shaun said, skepticism lacing his voice. “Didn’t realize you had such affluent connections.” “They did well with a business once, but things didn’t pan out,” she replied defensively. “Understood. Since we can’t break the code, I’ll let you go for now. I need some time to think.” “Thank you!” Avery breathed, relief flooding her as she exited the hidden room and stepped out of the building. As soon as she was gone, Shaun turned his attention to the paper she had carelessly left behind. His gaze lingered on the numbers, a whirlwind of thoughts circling in his mind. Could it really be that the heiress of Tate Industries was unaware of such a critical passcode? Shaun’s suspicions about Avery began to churn, darker and deeper. Moments later, his fingers flew over his phone as he sent a message to Wanda. The response was instantaneous; she called him without delay. “What do you mean Jack left something behind?” “Did you genuinely think Jack would sabotage his own daughter by entrusting the company to her?” Shaun scoffed, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “I once believed you were astute, but it seems you’ve missed the mark here as well.” Wanda’s mind raced as she picked up on the insinuation, her demeanor shifting towards curiosity. “What did Jack leave for Avery?” “A safe,” Shaun replied, his voice low and conspiratorial. “A substantial one, containing treasures beyond compare. But it appears Jack neglected to pass on the code.” Realization dawned, and Shaun seized the opportunity. “If you can furnish me with the code, I promise you a slice of the profits,” he offered, a sly smile creeping onto his face. “And how substantial would this cut be?” she questioned, skepticism in her tone. “I’m prepared to offer you twenty percent,” Shaun chuckled, relishing the negotiation. “It doesn’t matter if you decide to collaborate or not; the treasures never belonged to you in the first place.” “Deal! Count me in. How long is the code?” she responded eagerly. “It’s a six-digit combination. I’ll send you a photo of the significant numbers Avery provided about Jack, along with the combinations we've already attempted this afternoon. Perhaps it will spark something in you.” He ended the call, a sense of dark excitement coursing through him as he plotted the next move in this intricate game of deception.