Chapter 14: The Final Trap
I immediately showed the message to Detective Harris.
He read it twice.
"Absolutely not. You're not going anywhere alone.""
I looked at the photograph of Sophie.
"He's threatening my daughter.""
"We know.""
"Then I want him arrested before he gets anywhere near her.""
Detective Harris nodded.
"We're arranging surveillance and protection. But we need to understand why he wants the original trust deed.""
Michael stepped forward.
"Because the original document contains Thomas's final instructions.""
"Which are?""
Michael looked at me.
"Your father left a provision that prevents anyone from taking control of the company without your approval. But there's a condition.""
I frowned.
"What condition?""
"The beneficiary must personally confirm the trust in front of two independent witnesses.""
I looked at the detective.
"So Ethan wants me to sign?""
Michael nodded.
"He wants you to sign a document claiming you're voluntarily transferring control.""
I stared at the message.
He wasn't asking me to surrender the documents.
He was trying to make me surrender everything.
Detective Harris immediately began organizing a plan.
Meanwhile, officers escorted Sophie and Grace to a secure residence.
I called my daughter.
"Mommy?""
"Hello, sweetheart.""
"Can we go home tomorrow?""
I closed my eyes.
"I hope so.""
"Uncle Michael says we're going to be okay.""
I looked across the room.
Michael was standing alone beside the window.
"He's right," I whispered.
After the call, Michael approached me.
"Olivia, there's something else you need to know.""
I sighed.
"What now?""
He sat down.
"Margaret contacted me three months ago. She told me Ethan had been visiting her and asking questions about your father.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I didn't know whether she was confused or being manipulated.""
He pulled out a small envelope.
"She sent me this before disappearing.""
Inside was a photograph of my father standing with Margaret.
On the back was a handwritten message.
The truth is in the nursery.
I stared at the words.
"What nursery?""
Michael's expression changed.
"The nursery in your father's old house.""
I remembered the house.
It had been sold after his death.
The nursery had belonged to me when I was a child.
Michael explained that my father had kept a small wooden cabinet there.
He used to tell me it contained important family memories.
I had forgotten about it completely.
Detective Harris arranged for officers to search the property.
But before they could leave, an unexpected call came in.
Victor Shaw wanted to cooperate.
He was willing to testify against Ethan in exchange for consideration.
The detective put him on speaker.
"Victor, tell us where Ethan is.""
Victor's voice sounded exhausted.
"He's at the old Bennett warehouse.""
"We already searched that location.""
"Not the main building. There's an underground storage room beneath the loading dock.""
Michael immediately stood.
"That's where he keeps the original records.""
Victor continued.
"There's something else. Ethan has been using Daniel's signature on several financial documents.""
I frowned.
"Daniel signed those documents?""
"No. Ethan forged them.""
I looked at the detective.
"Then why did Daniel cooperate?""
Victor hesitated.
"Because Ethan promised to protect him from prosecution if he helped transfer the assets.""
The detective asked another question.
"Does Ethan have access to the trust?""
"Yes. He has a copy of the original deed. But he needs Olivia's signature to activate the transfer.""
I leaned forward.
"Why did my father make me the only person who could approve it?""
Victor went quiet.
Then he answered.
"Because Thomas knew you would never willingly surrender the company to criminals.""
The detective ended the call.
Within an hour, we were back at the warehouse.
Police officers surrounded the building.
Michael and I remained inside an armored vehicle while Detective Harris coordinated the operation.
Then a figure emerged from the side entrance.
Ethan Cross.
He was in his early sixties, wearing a charcoal suit and carrying a leather briefcase.
He walked calmly toward the officers.
"Detective Harris," he called.
"I believe we can settle this without unnecessary drama.""
The detective raised his hand.
"Stop where you are.""
Ethan smiled.
"I have documents proving Olivia Bennett is not legally entitled to control the trust.""
I stepped out of the vehicle before Michael could stop me.
"You're wrong.""
Ethan turned.
For the first time, I saw his face clearly.
He looked ordinary.
That was what frightened me most.
He didn't look like a man who had spent eleven years destroying a family.
He looked like someone's retired accountant.
"Olivia," he said warmly.
"You look just like your father.""
"Don't pretend you knew him.""
"I knew him better than you think.""
"You killed him.""
His smile faded.
"Your father made a dangerous decision. He interfered with people who had invested millions.""
"He was my father.""
"And he should have stayed out of our business.""
Michael stepped forward.
"You're finished, Ethan.""
Ethan glanced at him.
"Jonathan. Still pretending to be a Bennett?""
Michael's hands clenched.
"At least I don't pretend to be a decent human being.""
Ethan laughed.
Then he opened his briefcase.
Inside were several original financial records and the missing trust deed.
"I have what you want, Olivia. All you need to do is sign.""
Detective Harris stepped closer.
"Put the documents down.""
Ethan ignored him.
"There's one thing your father never told you.""
I stared at him.
"What?""
He removed a small photograph.
It showed my father holding a newborn baby.
Beside him stood Margaret.
Ethan pointed at the baby.
"That child wasn't Michael.""
Michael froze.
Ethan continued.
"Thomas had another secret. A second child. And that child is the rightful heir to everything.""
I looked at Michael.
His face had gone completely white.
Then Ethan smiled.
"Unfortunately, Olivia, you've already met the person who knows where that child is.""
Suddenly, a police officer shouted from inside the warehouse.
"Detective! We've found someone in the underground room!""
A woman was brought outside.
Silver hair.
Walking cane.
Tears streaming down her face.
Margaret Reed.
She looked at Michael.
Then at me.
May you like
And whispered:
"Olivia, I'm so sorry. Your father never told you about your twin sister.""
