Chapter 11: The Executive Who Betrayed Us All
By the time I reached the Rowan residence, the sun had disappeared behind the trees.
The property was enormous.
White stone columns framed the entrance, and a circular driveway surrounded a fountain bearing the Rowan family crest.
I'd visited the house dozens of times during my marriage.
I'd celebrated Christmas there.
I'd attended birthday dinners.
I'd even helped Grant's father choose the furniture for the library.
But I'd never understood why William Rowan had insisted that certain rooms remain locked.
Now I knew.
The original trust documents were somewhere inside.
Margaret Ellis walked beside me.
"Leah, before we enter, I need you to understand something.""
"What?""
"Richard has access to the property. If he's already taken the documents, we may need to rely on the electronic archive.""
I shook my head.
"Then we find the archive.""
Two uniformed officers followed us to the entrance.
A security guard opened the door.
"Mrs. Rowan?""
"Yes.""
"Mr. Cole is inside.""
Margaret stopped.
"How long has he been here?""
"Approximately forty minutes.""
I stepped into the foyer.
The familiar smell of polished wood and expensive candles filled the air.
Richard stood beside the grand staircase.
He was holding a glass of whiskey.
"Leah," he said.
"I was wondering when you'd arrive.""
I looked at the glass.
"Are you celebrating?""
He smiled.
"Just trying to understand how quickly a family can destroy itself.""
"Where's the register?""
He took a slow sip.
"What register?""
"The original Bennett trust register.""
Richard set down his glass.
"You really should stop listening to Martin Hale.""
"Why?""
"Because he has lied to you for years.""
I folded my arms.
"Then tell me the truth.""
Richard laughed.
"You think your grandfather was a saint? Edward Bennett built his fortune by making ruthless decisions. He used people.
He hid money. He manipulated William Rowan into financing ventures that eventually made Bennett Capital powerful.""
"That doesn't explain the forged loan applications.""
"Those were necessary.""
"Necessary for whom?""
He stepped closer.
"For the people who built the business.""
I stared at him.
"You're saying stealing my shares was necessary?""
Richard shook his head.
"Your shares were never supposed to remain yours forever.""
The words hung in the air.
Margaret Ellis immediately opened her briefcase.
"That's a remarkable admission.""
Richard's smile disappeared.
"Don't twist my words.""
I looked toward the library.
"Where's the register?""
He sighed.
"Your husband has it.""
"Grant is in custody.""
"Not anymore.""
My stomach tightened.
"What?""
Richard smiled.
"He was released an hour ago.""
I pulled out my phone.
There was a message from an unknown number.
Come to the Rowan residence alone if you want the original documents.
I showed it to Margaret.
She shook her head.
"Don't respond.""
Richard watched us.
"Something wrong?""
I ignored him and called Martin.
He answered immediately.
"Leah?""
"Where's Grant?""
"Why?""
"Richard says he's been released.""
Martin was silent.
Then he said:
"Leah, get out of that house.""
A crash sounded from upstairs.
The officers immediately moved toward the staircase.
Richard suddenly grabbed my arm.
"Don't.""
I pulled away.
"Let go.""
His voice became urgent.
"You don't understand. The register contains more than ownership records.""
"Then what does it contain?""
He looked toward the second floor.
"Payments made to people who were supposed to protect Edward Bennett's family.""
Margaret went pale.
"Richard...""
He turned toward her.
"Mother, you should have stayed away.""
She shook her head.
"You promised me the original documents would remain untouched.""
"I promised to protect the family.""
"Not by destroying Leah!""
Richard's expression hardened.
"She was never supposed to inherit everything.""
I stared at him.
"Who was supposed to inherit it?""
He looked at me.
Then smiled.
"Grant.""
A door slammed upstairs.
One of the officers shouted.
"Police! Show your hands!""
Footsteps thundered across the second floor.
Then a man appeared at the top of the staircase.
Grant.
He was holding a black document case.
"Leah!""
I stepped backward.
"Put it down.""
He laughed.
"You still think you can order me around?""
"What's in the case?""
"Your future.""
He began descending.
The officer raised his hand.
"Mr. Rowan, place the case on the floor.""
Grant ignored him.
"Leah, listen. I know you've been told a lot of lies. But I can explain everything.""
"You've had twelve years.""
"I was trying to protect you.""
"By giving my chair to your mistress?""
His face tightened.
"That was a mistake.""
"A mistake is forgetting an anniversary. You forged my signature.""
"I didn't forge anything!""
Richard suddenly interrupted.
"Grant, stop talking.""
Grant turned toward him.
"You told me she would never find the original register!""
Richard's face went completely still.
I looked between them.
"What register?""
Grant opened the case.
Inside were dozens of documents.
At the top was an old corporate ledger.
The original Bennett trust register.
But beneath it was something else.
A signed agreement bearing my grandfather's name.
And beside his signature was a second signature.
My mother's.
Margaret Ellis gasped.
"That's impossible.""
I looked at her.
"Why?""
May you like
She pointed to the date.
The agreement had been signed three days after my mother supposedly died.
