Chapter 12: The Daughter of the Empire
For several seconds, the room seemed to disappear.
I stared at my mother.
"That's not possible.""
She nodded through her tears.
"I wish it weren't true.""
I looked at Richard.
He was examining the birth record with an expression I had never seen before.
"Mrs. Carter, are you certain this document is authentic?""
"Yes. I obtained the original from the hospital before Charles's people could alter the records.""
I stepped backward.
"Then why did Dad raise me?""
My mother began crying harder.
"Because Michael loved you. He knew the truth before you were born, and he chose to be your father.""
I shook my head.
"No. Michael was my father.""
"He was, sweetheart. In every way that mattered.""
I looked down at the document.
Charles Blackwood.
The man whose son had offered me twenty million dollars to disappear.
The man who had apparently ordered Ethan's medical procedure.
The man whose family had spent years trying to control my inheritance.
My biological father.
"Did he know?"" I whispered.
My mother nodded.
"Yes.""
"Did he ever try to contact me?""
"Several times. But Michael refused to let him interfere with your life.""
I felt sick.
"Why?""
"Because Charles was already married. He was involved in a complicated business arrangement, and he believed having another child would threaten his position within the family.""
Richard interrupted.
"Mrs. Carter, when was this document created?""
"Thirty-two years ago. Charles paid for the hospital records to remain private. Michael discovered the arrangement years later when he was investigating the Blackwood companies.""
I looked at her.
"Then why was I named as a beneficiary?""
My mother sat down.
"Because Charles eventually realized that you were his biological daughter. He wanted to leave something to you.""
"Why didn't he tell me?""
"Because he was afraid of what his sons would do.""
Richard examined the trust document.
"That explains the original beneficiary arrangement. But it doesn't explain the later succession amendments.""
My mother looked at him.
"Daniel discovered Olivia's parentage five years ago.""
I froze.
"How?""
"He found a copy of the original hospital record among Charles's private documents. He realized that Olivia was entitled to a substantial portion of the family trust.""
Richard leaned forward.
"And that is when he began manipulating the succession arrangement?""
My mother nodded.
"Daniel knew Ethan's medical condition. He knew that Ethan might never have biological children. He wanted to become the primary successor, but the original trust protected Olivia's interest.""
I stared at her.
"So he needed me to disappear.""
"Yes.""
"And the company in my name?""
"That was created to make it appear that you had already received and controlled the disputed funds. If you signed the divorce agreement, Daniel could argue that you had voluntarily waived your rights.""
Richard's expression hardened.
"That would explain the fraudulent transfers.""
My mother reached for my hand.
"There's something else.""
I closed my eyes.
How much more could there be?
"Your father discovered Daniel's plan shortly before he died. He had evidence that Charles's medical instructions concerning Ethan were being used to manipulate the trust.""
"Was Daniel responsible for Dad's accident?""
My mother looked away.
"I don't know. But I know Daniel was the last person to speak with him before he left that evening.""
Richard immediately made a note.
"Did you report this?""
"I tried. But the police told me there was insufficient evidence. Then someone sent me photographs of Olivia leaving school.""
I felt cold.
"Someone followed me?""
My mother nodded.
"Charles's security people told me that if I kept investigating, Olivia would be taken away from me. They said they could make her disappear and ensure nobody would believe me.""
"Why did you fake your death?""
"Because after Michael died, I received a letter saying I was next. I arranged to disappear with help from an old family friend. I believed Olivia would be safer if the Blackwoods thought I was gone.""
I covered my face.
I wanted to be angry.
I was angry.
But I also understood that my mother had spent eighteen years hiding from people who controlled billions of dollars and had apparently never hesitated to destroy anyone who threatened them.
Richard closed the folders.
"We need to get this information to the authorities immediately. The original documents, the video, the financial transfers, and the medical records all need to be preserved.""
My mother nodded.
"There's another copy of everything.""
"Where?""
She looked directly at me.
"In Charles's private estate.""
Ethan's voice suddenly came from the doorway.
"Which estate?""
We all turned.
He had arrived without warning.
His face was pale.
He looked at my mother.
"Margaret?""
She stood.
"Ethan.""
He stared at her.
"I thought you were dead.""
"So did I.""
He looked at the birth certificate on the table.
Then at me.
"Olivia, is it true?""
I didn't answer.
He picked up the document.
His eyes moved across the page.
"You're my father's daughter?""
I nodded.
Ethan lowered the paper.
For a moment, he looked completely lost.
Then he laughed bitterly.
"Of course.""
I frowned.
"What do you mean?""
"My father spent my entire life telling me I had to produce an heir. He arranged my surgery, hid the medical records, and made Daniel responsible for the family succession.""
He looked at me.
"And all along, he already had a biological daughter.""
I didn't know what to say.
Ethan walked toward the window.
"My father never told me.""
"Perhaps he never intended to," Richard said.
Ethan turned.
"Then why did he make her the beneficiary?""
My mother answered.
"Because he knew what he had done to your family. He wanted to protect Olivia, but he was too cowardly to admit the truth.""
Ethan looked at me.
"I offered you twenty million dollars to leave.""
I remained silent.
"You were entitled to forty-two percent of the family trust.""
"Yes.""
"And I had no idea.""
"You didn't ask.""
He lowered his head.
For once, I didn't feel the need to comfort him.
My mother placed her hand on my shoulder.
"There's something else you need to understand, Olivia.""
I turned toward her.
"Charles's private estate contains a locked archive. Michael believed it held the original records of everything that happened to Ethan, including the surgery authorization.""
Richard nodded.
"That could be critical evidence.""
My mother hesitated.
"But there's a reason nobody has opened it.""
"What reason?""
"Charles left instructions that the archive could only be accessed by his biological children together.""
Ethan stared at her.
"Meaning me and Olivia?""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
Richard looked concerned.
"And Daniel?""
My mother took a deep breath.
"Daniel is also listed as an authorized successor.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"So all three of us need to be present?""
"Yes. And there's another condition.""
She pulled a final page from her handbag.
It was a letter from Charles, dated two weeks before his death.
The handwriting was shaky.
I read the first line.
To my children, when you finally discover what I did, you will understand why I could never allow the truth to come out.
Then I read the final paragraph.
The person responsible for Michael Carter's death was not Daniel.
My fingers went cold.
Richard leaned closer.
"Who does it name?""
I turned the page.
There was a single handwritten name.
*ETHAN BLACKWOOD.*
I looked at my husband.
He was staring at the letter.
His lips parted.
"That's impossible.""
My mother began crying.
And then Ethan said something that changed everything.
"I remember that night.""
May you like
He looked directly at me.
"I was there when your father died.""
