Chapter 8: My Father's Last Warning
I read my father's letter slowly.
Every sentence felt like a conversation with a man I had lost too soon.
Olivia, I discovered that Daniel had been using our family business to conceal financial transactions. I confronted him, but he insisted he was protecting you.
My eyes filled with tears.
I continued.
I don't believe him. I have secured the original company records and transferred control of the remaining shares into a trust established in your name.
I stopped reading.
A trust?
I looked at Michael.
"What does this mean?""
He pulled out a separate document.
"Your father established a protected family trust shortly before he died. Daniel was never supposed to have access to it.""
"Then how did he transfer the company shares?""
"He didn't.""
Michael pointed to the document.
"That's what he wanted everyone to believe.""
I looked down.
The trust named me as the sole beneficiary.
My father had protected the ownership of the company even after his death.
The forged documents Daniel had shown me were apparently attempts to seize control of assets that had never legally belonged to him.
I felt tears sliding down my cheeks.
My father had been protecting me.
Even after he was gone.
Daniel suddenly pulled out his phone.
"You're all making a huge mistake.""
He began typing.
Michael noticed.
"Who are you calling?""
"Someone who can explain this.""
Michael shook his head.
"You mean the lawyer who helped you forge the documents?""
Daniel said nothing.
I looked at him.
"How long have you known about my father's trust?""
He finally met my eyes.
"Since before we got married.""
The words struck harder than a slap.
"Before we got married?""
Daniel sighed.
"Your father was difficult. He didn't trust anyone.""
"He was right not to trust you.""
"Olivia, I loved you.""
I stared at him.
"Did you love me when you stole my inheritance?""
He didn't answer.
"Did you love me when you forged my signature?""
Still nothing.
"Did you love me when you brought Vanessa to our anniversary dinner and made me surrender my chair?""
His jaw tightened.
"That was a mistake.""
I laughed through my tears.
"No, Daniel. That was the first time you stopped pretending.""
Vanessa sat down heavily.
She looked exhausted.
"I need to tell you something else.""
Daniel turned toward her.
"Don't.""
She ignored him.
"Daniel promised me that once the divorce was finalized, he'd transfer the company shares into my name.""
I stared at her.
"Why would he do that?""
"Because he said he needed someone outside the family to hold the assets while he dealt with his debts.""
Michael shook his head.
"He was planning to use you too.""
Vanessa looked at him.
"What?""
Michael placed a document in front of her.
It was a liability agreement.
Her signature appeared on the final page.
She picked it up.
Then her face turned white.
"What is this?""
"An agreement making you personally responsible for the debts connected to the holding company.""
She looked at Daniel.
"You said this was just paperwork for the business!""
Daniel stood.
"Give me that.""
Vanessa pulled it away.
"You said I'd be protected!""
"You signed it.""
"Because I trusted you!""
I almost laughed.
The woman who had walked into my anniversary dinner wearing a smug smile was now discovering what it felt like to be used by the same man who had betrayed me.
But I didn't feel sorry for her.
Not yet.
Michael turned toward me.
"Olivia, your father left more than the trust. He also recorded a conversation with Daniel.""
I looked at him.
"Where is it?""
"In a secure storage facility. I've been trying to retrieve it for months.""
"Why didn't you go to the police?""
"Because Daniel had people watching me. I needed proof that couldn't be dismissed as a family dispute.""
Evelyn suddenly spoke.
"There's something else.""
She reached into her handbag and removed an old photograph.
It showed my father sitting in his office with three men.
One was Daniel.
One was Michael.
The third was a man I didn't recognize.
On the back, my father had written:
The three people who know where the original money went.
I looked at the photograph.
"Who is the third man?""
Michael leaned closer.
His expression changed.
"That's Victor Shaw.""
Daniel immediately stood.
"Put that photograph away.""
Michael looked at him.
"Why? Afraid Olivia might recognize him?""
I turned toward Daniel.
"Who is Victor?""
Evelyn answered.
"He was your father's attorney.""
I remembered the name.
Victor Shaw had attended my father's funeral.
He had also handled the paperwork for my inheritance.
I had trusted him completely.
"Is he still practicing?""
Michael nodded.
"Yes. And he's been working with Daniel for years.""
My phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?""
A man's voice spoke.
"Mrs. Bennett, my name is Victor Shaw. I believe you have recently been shown some documents concerning your late father's estate.""
I froze.
"Who gave you my number?""
"That doesn't matter. What matters is that you stop listening to Michael Bennett.""
I looked at Michael.
Victor continued.
"Your father left certain instructions that you don't fully understand. If you continue pursuing this matter, you may lose everything.""
I tightened my grip on the phone.
"Are you threatening me?""
"No, Mrs. Bennett. I'm trying to help you.""
"Then tell me why my husband's signature appears on documents transferring my inheritance.""
There was a pause.
Then Victor said quietly:
"Because your father specifically authorized Daniel to manage those assets.""
Michael immediately shook his head.
"He's lying.""
Victor heard him.
"Mr. Bennett, I see you're there. Perhaps you should tell Olivia what happened to the original trust documents.""
Michael's expression darkened.
I looked between the two men.
"What original documents?""
Victor answered before Michael could.
"The ones Michael stole from your father's office the night your father died.""
The call ended.
I stared at Michael.
"Is that true?""
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he lowered his eyes.
And the man I thought had returned to save me finally admitted something that made me question everything.
"Olivia, I didn't come back just to expose Daniel.""
May you like
He took a deep breath.
"I came back because I need your help finding the original trust.""
