My Admiral Father Thought I Was Dead, But I Returned Undercover to Save Him
Previously: When Admiral Richard Vance saw a young woman in a navy windbreaker on his base, he expected a security breach—not the daughter he had mourned for five long years.
The Snake in the Grass
The quiet reverence of their reunion was instantly shattered by the sound of hurried footsteps echoing on the pavement. Out of the shadow of the main administration building stepped Captain Thomas Miller, Richard’s closest confidant and the deputy commander of the base. Behind Miller were three heavily armed military police officers, their faces grim and determined.
Miller’s eyes locked onto Emily, and a flash of pure, venomous panic crossed his face before being quickly masked by an expression of stern authority. He had recognized her instantly. Five years ago, Miller had orchestrated the "accident" that was supposed to silence Emily forever after she discovered his treasonous activities. Seeing her alive and standing next to the Admiral was his worst nightmare realized.
"Admiral Vance, step away from that woman immediately!" Miller barked, his voice carrying across the courtyard and drawing the attention of dozens of onlookers. "We have a severe security breach. This woman has infiltrated the base using forged credentials."
Richard lowered his salute, his eyes narrowing as he looked at his oldest friend. The pieces of a devastating puzzle were suddenly falling into place. He remembered how quickly Miller had handled the investigation into Emily's "death," and how eagerly he had pushed to close the file.
"Thomas, what is the meaning of this?" Richard demanded, his voice cold as ice. "This is my daughter."
"Your daughter died five years ago, Richard," Miller said smoothly, though a bead of sweat rolled down his temple. "This is an impostor, a foreign operative who just breached our secure intelligence servers. She is armed and extremely dangerous. Guards, detain her! If she resists, use whatever force is necessary."
The military police officers hesitated, looking between their Captain and the legendary Admiral. But they were trained to follow orders. They drew their weapons, aiming them directly at Emily. Emily didn't flinch. Instead, she reached slowly into her windbreaker, her fingers wrapping around a small, encrypted flash drive. She knew that if she let them take her, the evidence of Miller’s treason would be destroyed, and her father’s life would be forfeit.
”She knew that if she let them take her, the evidence of Miller’s treason would be destroyed, and her father’s life would be forfeit.