Chapter 5: My Brother Came to Steal Everything
“Richard has a court order?””
Marcus nodded as he helped me into the back seat of the waiting car.
“He's claiming the trust was improperly transferred to your control.””
I stared at him.
“But my mother appointed me chairwoman.””
“She did. However, Richard appears to be challenging the authenticity of the final amendment.””
The car pulled away from the bank.
I looked down at my mother's letter.
“Can he win?””
“Not if the original documents remain intact.””
“And if they don't?””
Marcus hesitated.
“Then we'll have a serious problem.””
I looked out at Manhattan's glowing skyscrapers.
For years, I had believed my biggest responsibility was keeping my marriage together while quietly protecting the company.
Now I was discovering that my entire family history might have been built on lies.
When we reached Hayes Capital Holdings, two security guards stood beside the glass entrance.
Richard was waiting in the executive lobby.
He wore a navy suit, a silver watch, and the same confident expression he had worn at our mother's funeral.
“Evelyn!””
He spread his arms.
“My little sister. Finally.””
I didn't move toward him.
“What are you doing here?””
He looked at my stomach.
“Good heavens. You're still pregnant? You should be at home resting instead of involving yourself in business matters.””
I almost laughed.
Apparently, my husband and brother had attended the same school of manipulation.
“I asked what you're doing here.””
Richard sighed dramatically.
“I've come to protect our mother's legacy.””
Marcus stepped forward.
“You have no authorization to access these records.””
Richard held up a folded document.
“I have a court-issued preservation order. Your staff will cooperate.””
Marcus examined it.
“This order prevents destruction of relevant records. It does not grant you access to confidential trust files.””
Richard's smile vanished.
“You always were an obedient employee, Marcus.””
“And you always confused family entitlement with legal authority.””
Richard turned back to me.
“Evelyn, can we speak privately?””
“No.””
“Please. We're siblings.””
“You brought a court order to take control of my company.””
“Your company?”” He laughed.
“Everything you have came from our mother.””
“Exactly.””
He stepped closer.
“Listen carefully. You have no idea what you're dealing with. Give me the chairmanship voluntarily, and I'll make sure you receive a generous annual distribution.””
I stared at him.
“How generous?””
“Five million a year.””
I blinked.
He was offering me five million dollars to surrender control of a company worth billions.
“That's your offer?””
“Don't be greedy, Evelyn.””
I looked at Marcus.
“Please show my brother the door.””
Richard's face darkened.
“You're making a mistake.””
“No. I think I've finally stopped making them.””
He turned toward the security guards.
“Don't touch me. I'm a member of this family!””
One guard calmly replied, “Sir, you're being asked to leave a private corporate facility.””
Richard pointed at me.
“You think Ethan is your biggest problem? Ask your precious husband what happened to the original trust agreement.””
My heart skipped.
“What does Ethan know about it?””
Richard smiled.
“More than you realize.””
He walked toward the exit.
Then he stopped and looked over his shoulder.
“By the way, your mother wasn't nearly as innocent as you remember.””
The doors closed behind him.
I turned toward Marcus.
“What did he mean?””
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
“I think we need to examine the original trust records.””
We entered the secure archive room.
Marcus instructed Daniel to retrieve the original ownership agreement and the sealed amendment prepared by my mother.
While they searched, I sat in a leather chair, trying to calm my breathing.
My phone rang.
Ethan.
I rejected the call.
It rang again.
Then a message appeared.
*Evelyn, Richard is lying to you. He used me, but I have proof. Please meet me alone. I can explain everything about your mother's trust.*
I stared at the message.
A second message followed.
*And I know who forged your signature.*
Before I could respond, Daniel returned carrying a thick archival folder.
“Madam Chairwoman, we found the original agreement.””
He placed it on the table.
The document contained my mother's signature, two independent witnesses, and the trust's original registration details.
But something was wrong.
A page had been removed.
“Where is Schedule C?”” Marcus asked.
Daniel checked the index.
“It's supposed to be here.””
“What is Schedule C?”” I asked.
Marcus looked uncomfortable.
“It contains the succession provisions and the identities of the original beneficiaries.””
I stared at him.
“I'm the chairwoman. Why haven't I seen it?””
“Your mother instructed the attorneys to keep that schedule sealed until a specific condition was met.””
“What condition?””
Marcus opened the folder again.
A handwritten note was attached to the inside cover.
He read it silently.
Then he looked at me.
“Your mother specified that Schedule C could only be released if both of her children were involved in a dispute over the trust.””
I froze.
“Both children?””
“Yes.””
“Then Richard's court action has triggered it?””
Marcus nodded.
Daniel immediately contacted the archive custodian.
Ten minutes later, an elderly attorney entered the room carrying a locked metal case.
His name was Samuel Whitmore.
He had represented my mother for more than twenty years.
“Evelyn,” he said gently, “I was hoping you would never need this.””
He placed the case on the table.
Inside was a sealed document bearing my mother's signature.
Samuel opened it.
He read the first paragraph.
Then he stopped.
His face went pale.
“Madam Chairwoman,” he whispered, “there's something your mother never told you about your brother.””
“What?””
Samuel looked toward Marcus.
Then back at me.
“Richard is not your mother's biological son.””
The room went silent.
May you like
Samuel continued.
“And according to the original succession agreement, that changes everything.””
