Mila was still looking at the paper.
Her fingers turned white around the edges.
"This says Nana's house is gone in thirty days."
Victor collected it back from her.
He focused on the signature.
"I never signed this. Someone copied my name on purpose."
Mila felt worried.
She moved around the library, then stopped.
"Nana is in the hospital right now, where will she live?"
Victor folded the notice.
"Sit down, Mila. I will fix this today."
He pressed the phone button on the desk.
The maid appeared again.
"Find Vivian," Victor ordered.
"Bring her here now."
Mila dropped into the chair.
Her legs were still shaking.
She collected her phone from her bag and looked at the eviction picture she snapped some minutes ago.
"I'm sure Vivian is the one doing this."
Victor didn't look at her. He poured more tea in her cup.
"Drink. You look pale."
Mila shook her head.
"I don't want to drink. It feels like there's a heavy stone in my stomach."
She got up and went to the window.
The sound of a shoe came from outside.
Vivian came inside the office wearing a clean gray dress. She smiled like there was no problem.
Victor raised the paper to Vivian's face.
"Explain this, Vivian."
Vivian took the notice.
Her eyes scanned it fast.
"Oh dear. This looks serious."
Mila crossed her arms.
"Funny how my allowance got delayed yesterday. Now this shows up today. Same red ink style on the sticky note you left."
Vivian moved her head a bit.
"Sticky note? I leave many notes for the staff. House business."
She handed the paper back.
Mila stepped closer.
"Someone in this house knows every photo, every move. That same someone wants me scared enough to leave."
"Hahaha."
Vivian laughed soft and short.
"Scared? You are family now, Mila. Why would I want that?"
She smoothed her dress.
Victor watched them both.
"Vivian, my name is on this forgery. You handle all mail, can you explain this?"
Vivian lifted one eyebrow looking at Victor.
"I only stamp what you tell me to stamp. Nothing else."
She turned to leave.
Mila blocked the door.
"Not yet. The hospital called again this morning. Nana needs that money I was supposed to get. Now her house is under threat. Coincidence?"
Vivian met her eyes.
"Life has many coincidences. Ask Adrian about old times. He knows how things can twist."
"Excuse me."
She slipped past Mila and left.
Victor rubbed his forehead.
"She is lying. I feel it."
Mila's breath came fast.
"I have to get to the hospital. But what if they lock Nana out before I return?"
She grabbed her bag.
Victor stood.
"I will call my lawyer right now. Stay calm."
He picked up the phone.
Mila hurried out.
Her shoes slapped the wooden floor.
She almost ran into Adrian in the hallway.
Adrian caught her arms.
"Hey, take it easy. What happened?"
Mila held up her phone.
"Eviction notice for Nana's house. Signed with Victor's name. Vivian just smiled like it was nothing, that girl's really up to something bad, I know it."
Adrian's face went tight.
"Show me."
He read the photo quickly.
Mila sounded shaky.
"I'm worried, Adrian. Nana doesn't have anywhere to live, I saved that money you gave me for her bills. Now this."
Adrian pulled her into the room beside them and closed the door quietly.
"Sit. Breathe. Victor will handle the forgery. He always does."
Mila stayed standing.
"But why is everything happening at once? The photo leak, the delayed money, now this. Someone is pushing me out."
Adrian rubbed her shoulder gently.
"You are tired. You barely slept. Let me drive you to the hospital."
Mila shook her head.
"No. I need answers first. Your father's company… My dad worked there before the crash, right? He whispered things sometimes. About secrets."
Adrian stepped back.
"The company is clean, Mila. Victor built it from nothing. No secrets. Just hard work."
Mila looked straight at him.
"Then why did my dad say the big company was watching him? Right before the car went off the road. He was scared, Adrian."
Adrian held her hands.
"Hey, that was years ago. Accidents happen. My father regrets many things, but the business is solid. I work there every day. I would know if something was wrong."
Mila pulled her hands away from Adrian's.
"You defend it so fast. Like you are scared too."
Adrian sighed.
"I defend what I know. Victor sent me away to protect me from weak choices. The company gave us everything. Don't let one bad note shake that."
Mila walked around the small room.
"Bad note? This is my grandmother's home. The only place I have left, and Vivian knows too much. She mentioned you and old times again."
Adrian sat on the edge of the table.
"Vivian holds grudges. We both know that. But she can't forge Victor's signature. He checks everything."
Mila stopped pacing.
"She delayed my money on purpose. She sent that message about the photo. Now this. She wants me gone, I never knew this was what I was getting myself into.. ahhh."
Adrian stood up.
"I will talk to her. Calmly. You go to the hospital. Take the money I gave you. I will add more if you need it."
Mila touched the envelope in her pocket.
"It feels heavy now. Like guilt. You paid because she blocked it."
Adrian opened the door.
"Go. I will sort this out. Trust me."
Mila walked out.
Her legs felt like water.
She went to her room and collected her coat.
Downstairs, people were raising voices the library.
Victor and Vivian argued low and sharp.
Mila paused at the top step but kept moving.
Outside, the morning air hit her face.
She climbed into the old car.
Her hands shook on the wheel.
At the hospital gate, she parked crooked.
She ran inside.
Nana's room smelled of medicine.
Nana smiled weakly from the bed.
"Mila, you look worried. Come here."
Mila sat and held the thin hand.
"I brought the money. For the next tests."
She kept the envelope on the table.
Nana held Mila's hands strong.
"You are a good girl. Your father would be proud of you."
Mila's eyes filled.
"Dad… he said something before the crash. I keep remembering pieces."
Nana patted her arm.
"Rest now. Tell me later."
Mila stayed until Nana dozed off before she went outside the room.
Her phone vibrated immediately.
Adrian texted, Vivian denies everything. Victor believes her for now. Come back soon.
Mila typed fast, I can't lose the house.
She walked to the waiting area.
Chairs lined the wall.
She sat and closed her eyes.
The memory hit like a wave.
She was eight again.
Dad drove the old blue car in the rain.
Water hit the glass.
He held the wheel firmly.
He reduced his voice.
"Mila, if anything happens, remember the big company is not what it seems. They watch everything."
Mila had laughed then.
"Daddy, you sound like a spy in a movie."
Dad looked at her through the mirror.
"Promise me you will stay away from Victor's world. It swallows people."
Lights flashed ahead.
A truck swerved.
Metal screamed.
The car tumbled.
Dad's last words whispered again in her head.
"The big company… they know."
Mila's eyes snapped open in the hospital chair.
Her heart pounded loud.
She stood up fast.
She had to go back.
The house held answers now.
And danger waited with open arms.