Chapter 7: The Truth About My Father
For several seconds, nobody moved.
The blue folder sat on the examination table between us.
My father's name was Alexander Bennett. He had raised me, protected me, and taught me everything I knew about standing on my own two feet.
He was the man who held my hand when my grandmother died.
The man who stayed awake beside my hospital bed when I was twelve.
The man who had just spent the entire night trying to protect me from Ryan Whitmore.
And now, an old document was threatening to rewrite everything.
"Dad?"" I whispered.
He looked at me.
"Sweetheart, whatever is in that folder, it doesn't change what I am to you.""
"Then why did Grandma write that?""
He swallowed.
"I don't know.""
Michael stepped toward the door.
"Mr. Bennett, should I end the call with Robert?""
Dad looked at the phone.
"No. Put him on speaker.""
Robert's voice filled the room.
"Alexander, I told you there were things you didn't understand.""
"Then start explaining.""
"Not over the phone.""
"You're going to explain right now.""
Robert sighed.
"Your mother-in-law was involved in a transaction that nearly destroyed several families. She concealed the original ownership records, and she left Maya holding the controlling interest.""
Dad's expression hardened.
"That doesn't explain the title.""
Robert paused.
"Because Charles Whitmore isn't the only person who knows what happened twenty-seven years ago.""
I stepped closer to the phone.
"What does this have to do with me?""
Robert hesitated.
"Your grandmother believed your biological father might eventually come looking for you.""
My entire body went cold.
I turned toward Dad.
He didn't look surprised.
That frightened me more than Robert's words.
"Alexander?"" I whispered.
Dad closed his eyes.
"Let me explain.""
I felt my throat tighten.
"You knew?""
He nodded slowly.
"Your mother was pregnant when we married. I knew before our wedding.""
I stared at him.
"What?""
"Your biological father died before you were born. Your mother asked me to raise you as my own. I loved her, Maya. I loved you from the moment I first held you.""
I couldn't speak.
He reached for my hand.
"I adopted you legally when you were six months old. I never considered you anything other than my daughter.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because your mother wanted you to grow up without feeling that you were somehow different. And because the man involved had a complicated history with your grandmother's business.""
I slowly pulled my hand away.
"Who was he?""
Dad looked toward the folder.
"His name was Daniel Reeves.""
I blinked.
The same name appeared in the forged marriage application investigation.
"The legal employee?""
Dad shook his head.
"Not necessarily the same person. Daniel was your mother's former business associate. He died in an accident before you were born. Someone may have reused his identity in the recent paperwork.""
Robert interrupted.
"That's not the whole story.""
Dad's expression became dangerous.
"Robert, you've already said enough.""
But Robert continued.
"Daniel was also the original architect of the Whitmore partnership. Charles took control of the company after Daniel's death. Your mother-in-law discovered the irregularities and protected the ownership records.""
I looked at the folder.
"Why would Grandma keep all this from me?""
Dad answered quietly.
"Because she was trying to protect you.""
I opened the blue folder.
Inside were photographs of a young woman standing beside my grandmother.
My mother.
There were also several documents concerning Daniel Reeves, including a death certificate and an old partnership agreement.
At the bottom was a sealed letter.
My name was written across the front.
I opened it carefully.
*My darling Maya,*
*There are truths that can hurt even when they are necessary. Your father, Alexander, chose to raise you because he loved your mother and because he loved you. Never question that.*
My eyes filled.
*Daniel was a good man, but he became involved with people who valued money more than friendship. His death was ruled an accident. I never believed the circumstances were properly investigated.*
I stopped reading.
Dad leaned closer.
"Keep going.""
*I discovered that Charles Whitmore had transferred assets from a partnership account shortly before Daniel died. I confronted him. He denied everything. But I kept copies of the original records.*
Then came the final paragraph.
*If someone ever tries to use your identity to claim these assets, look for the document marked Schedule C. It contains the names of everyone who benefited from the original transfers. One of those names will surprise you.*
I searched through the folder.
There it was.
Schedule C.
A list of six individuals and companies.
Charles Whitmore.
Two former business executives.
A private investment company.
And the final name.
Robert Hayes.
Dad stared at it.
"Robert was involved?""
I looked at the phone.
"Robert, did you know Daniel Reeves?""
No answer.
Then he said quietly:
"Yes.""
Dad's face hardened.
"Did you participate in the transfers?""
Robert exhaled.
"Alexander, you need to understand that I was young. Charles told me it was a legitimate restructuring.""
"Did you steal from Daniel's company?""
"I didn't steal anything.""
"Then why is your name on the document?""
Robert's voice became defensive.
"Because I helped arrange the transaction. That's all.""
Dad ended the call.
Michael immediately contacted the firm's security department.
I sat down, still holding my mother's letter.
Everything was changing.
Ryan had lied to me.
Diane had plotted against me.
Charles had attempted to steal my inheritance.
And now my father's closest business partner was connected to a financial scandal that had begun before I was born.
"Dad?""
He turned toward me.
"Yes?""
"Are you going to be okay?""
He looked surprised.
I almost smiled.
Even after everything, I was still worried about him.
He pulled me into a hug.
"I should be asking you that.""
For a moment, I let myself cry.
Then Margaret approached with another document.
"Maya, there's something else in the file.""
She placed it in front of me.
It was a recent bank transfer authorization.
The date was three weeks earlier.
The recipient was Whitmore Development.
The amount was $2.5 million.
And the account number belonged to Bennett Capital.
Dad stared at it.
"That transaction was never approved.""
Margaret pointed to the signature.
"Then someone used your executive authorization.""
Michael checked the audit trail.
His face changed.
"Sir, the transfer was processed from your office.""
Dad looked at him.
"Who was physically in my office that day?""
Michael hesitated.
Then he answered.
"Your daughter, sir.""
I froze.
"What?""
Michael turned the screen toward me.
A security log showed that my personal access card had been used to enter Dad's office on October 12.
I had never been there that day.
Someone had used my credentials.
And the transfer had happened less than twenty minutes later.
Dad looked at me.
"Sweetheart, did you give anyone your access card?""
"No.""
Michael enlarged the security footage.
The person entering the office was wearing a dark coat and carrying a handbag.
The face was partially hidden.
May you like
But I recognized the handbag immediately.
It belonged to Diane Whitmore.
