Chapter 11: The CEO's Confession
“Marcus, look at me.””
He didn't.
The police were questioning Samuel while paramedics treated his shoulder.
Alexander stood beside me, his shirt torn and his knuckles bleeding.
But I couldn't stop watching Marcus.
“Samuel said you spoke to my father before he died.””
Marcus slowly removed his glasses.
“Yes.””
My throat tightened.
“Why?””
He took a breath.
“Your father called me the evening of the accident.””
“What did he say?””
“He told me he had discovered that someone inside the company was moving money through several offshore accounts. He wanted me to secure the original records.””
“And you did?””
“I tried.””
“That's not an answer.””
Marcus looked toward the officers.
Then he motioned for me to sit.
“I was twenty-four years old. My father was your father's security director. I had just started working in the company. Your father trusted me with certain administrative responsibilities.””
I waited.
Marcus continued.
“He gave me a sealed envelope containing copies of the financial transactions. He told me to deliver it to an independent investigator the following morning.””
“What happened?””
“I received a call from Samuel. He said your father had changed his mind and wanted the envelope returned.””
“You believed him?””
“I was young. Samuel had been our family attorney for years.””
Marcus looked ashamed.
“I handed it over.””
I stared at him.
“And that envelope disappeared?””
“Yes.””
I felt something break inside me.
“You helped them.””
“I know.””
“You helped the people who destroyed my family.””
Marcus closed his eyes.
“I didn't know what they were planning. I swear to you.””
“But you never told me.””
“I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
“That your mother would lose everything if the truth became public. She threatened to expose Samuel, but he warned her that the people behind him were more powerful than either of us.””
I stood up.
“You had twenty years to tell me.””
Marcus nodded.
“I did.””
His honesty made me angrier.
“Then why didn't you?””
“Because I made another promise to your mother. She asked me to protect you until the evidence could be recovered.””
I looked toward the open box.
“And now?””
“Now I believe we finally have enough evidence to identify everyone involved.””
My phone rang.
Ethan.
I almost rejected it.
Then I remembered his message about the remaining twenty-six percent.
I answered.
“What?””
“Evelyn, please. I need to see you.””
“I'm busy.””
“Richard is planning something tonight.””
I looked at Alexander.
“What?””
“He's calling an emergency board meeting. He's going to claim you're medically unfit to serve as chairwoman.””
My stomach tightened.
“On what grounds?””
“Your pregnancy. He has documents suggesting you're under severe emotional distress.””
I almost laughed.
“He's using my pregnancy against me?””
“There's more. He's filed an emergency petition claiming the company requires temporary guardianship of the voting shares.””
I glanced at Marcus.
“Samuel?””
“Samuel was supposed to authorize the arrangement,” Ethan replied.
“But Richard doesn't know he's been arrested yet.””
I closed my eyes.
“Why are you telling me this?””
“Because I don't want Richard to get away with it.””
“You helped him.””
“I know.””
“You helped him forge my signature.””
“I know.””
“You planned to take my company.””
“I know, Evelyn. I know what I did.””
His voice cracked.
For the first time, he sounded genuinely frightened.
“Please, just listen. I have the original transfer instructions. They're on my laptop. Richard sent them to me personally.””
“Why would I believe you?””
“Because there's something else. Richard told me he had arranged for the remaining shares to be transferred to Alexander Sterling months ago.””
I looked at my brother.
Alexander's expression changed.
“What do you mean?”” I asked.
“Richard believes Alexander is dead.””
The room went silent.
Ethan continued.
“That's why he registered the shares under Alexander's name. He intended to use the identity of a missing beneficiary to hide the transfer.””
Alexander stepped closer.
“Where is the account?””
“Caldwell's legal department has the documents. I can send you the access details.””
“Why now?”” I demanded.
Ethan was quiet for several seconds.
Then he said, “Because Vanessa found out Richard was planning to eliminate both of us after the transfer.””
I frowned.
“What happened to Vanessa?””
“She disappeared this morning.””
“Disappeared?””
“She left her apartment. Her phone is switched off. Her bank account was emptied.””
I looked at Marcus.
He immediately began typing on his phone.
Ethan lowered his voice.
“Evelyn, Richard isn't trying to become CEO anymore. He's trying to take control of the entire Hayes fortune.””
I swallowed.
“And what do you want in return?””
“Nothing.””
“That's a lie.””
He exhaled.
“I want to see my daughter.””
I looked down at my stomach.
“You should have thought about her before you humiliated her mother.””
“I know.””
“And you should have thought about her before helping people steal her inheritance.””
“I know, Evelyn.””
I ended the call.
A moment later, a message arrived.
It contained a location and an access code.
Then another message appeared.
*One more thing. Richard has someone inside the hospital where you're registered to give birth. Please don't go there until you know who it is.*
My blood ran cold.
I showed Marcus.
He immediately called the hospital's security director.
After a short conversation, he looked at me.
“Madam Chairwoman, there's a problem.””
“What?””
“Someone has accessed your maternity records.””
Alexander stepped closer.
“Who?””
Marcus turned his laptop toward us.
The access log displayed a hospital employee's name.
*DR. HELEN CALDWELL.*
Ethan's mother.
I stared at the screen.
She had always treated me politely.
She had attended every family dinner and bought gifts for the baby.
And now she had accessed my private medical records without permission.
My phone vibrated again.
May you like
This time, the message came from Vanessa.
*Evelyn, I'm alive. Richard has been lying to everyone. I have the proof, but you need to come alone. He has your daughter on his list.*
