Evelyn stared into the dark steel safe, her breath hitching in her throat. Her small hand reached inside, her trembling fingers wrapping around the tiny silver thumb drive resting alone on the cold metal floor.

"It is empty," Evelyn whispered, her voice cracking with deep confusion. "There are no paper files. No blueprints. Just this small drive."

Julian stepped beside her, his sharp dark eyes scanning the interior of the safe before focusing on the shiny object in her palm. "Your father was smarter than anyone gave him credit for, Evelyn. Paper can be burned or stolen. A hidden drive is much easier to protect."

"I hope you are right,"...