Panic spread. His mother collapsed from the shock, and Ryan rushed to catch her before she hit the floor. The ambulance came quickly, taking her to the hospital, while Ryan’s sorrow turned into a storm of confusion.
Later that evening, Ryan contacted the police. Detective Bradshaw listened carefully. She confirmed that the coroner had released Arnold’s body and the records appeared legitimate. But Ryan couldn’t let it go.
Determined, he drove to the morgue. There, he discovered that the coroner had recently resigned and his father’s file was missing. When official channels failed, Ryan made a discreet deal to access the office. The truth became murkier—there was no sign of Arnold’s remains being handled properly.
That’s when he got a call from Mr. Stevens, Arnold’s lawyer. He was now the new CEO of his father’s company. At the office, Ryan noticed something odd—Arnold’s desk was cleared, including two rare figurines his father prized. Stevens claimed Arnold had taken them home, but Ryan had already searched the house. No sign.
Stevens also mentioned that Arnold never managed to collect the final piece in the set, which a collector refused to part with for less than half a million dollars.
Then came another twist: the company was in financial trouble, investors were leaving, and rumors swirled about Arnold’s relationship with his secretary, Miss Pearson. Trying to hold the business together, Ryan reached out to stakeholders. Then, he followed Miss Pearson home, hoping to uncover more.
There, tucked in a drawer, he discovered a shocking document—a life insurance policy worth $7 million naming Miss Pearson as the sole beneficiary.
Ryan took it straight to Detective Bradshaw. A quick investigation showed Miss Pearson had booked a flight to a country with no extradition agreement. Authorities rushed to the airport, but she was already gone.
Feeling cornered, Ryan thought back to the missing figurines. If his father was alive, completing the set might be the key to drawing him out.
Ryan tracked down the collector, who asked for $750,000. Knowing it meant giving up control of the company, Ryan authorized the sale of his shares to get the money. He then placed ads announcing an upcoming auction of the rare figurine, hoping to bait his father.
At the auction, the crowd grew tense as the figurine was presented. Just when it seemed the sale was over, a familiar voice rang out:
“One million dollars.”
Ryan turned, heart racing. His father, clean-shaven and unrecognizable at first, removed his hat and stepped forward. He had taken the bait.
As Arnold moved to leave, Ryan blocked his path—and Detective Bradshaw emerged from the crowd.
“You tricked me,” Arnold said quietly.
“No,” Ryan replied. “You ran from the truth. I just gave it a place to catch up.”
Arnold was taken into custody, and Bradshaw assured Ryan that Miss Pearson wouldn’t stay hidden for long.
In the end, the man Ryan once admired had tried to disappear—but justice, with a little help from a loyal dog and a determined son, refused to let him.