Chapter 8: My Mother Was Part of the Secret
I couldn't move.
My mother had been dead for thirteen years.
She had never met Daniel.
She had never attended a single Bennett Enterprises meeting.
At least, that was what I'd believed.
I stared at Evelyn.
"That's impossible.""
She gently pulled out a chair.
"Sit down, sweetheart.""
I didn't sit.
"Explain.""
Evelyn opened the red folder.
Inside were photographs, bank statements, handwritten notes, and several legal documents bearing my mother's signature.
I recognized her handwriting immediately.
She had always written with a slight slant, adding little flourishes to the capital letters.
"Your mother knew about Daniel?"" I asked.
Evelyn nodded.
"Before your father died, your parents discovered that Daniel was using the company to move money into private accounts.""
I shook my head.
"But Daniel and I hadn't even married yet.""
"He was already involved with your father. Your father admired his ambition and believed he could eventually become a good business partner.""
"Then why did they hide everything from me?""
"Because your mother was worried about you.""
Evelyn removed a photograph.
It showed my mother sitting across from Daniel in a restaurant.
Daniel looked younger, perhaps thirty.
My mother looked serious.
On the back, someone had written:
*He knows about Olivia's inheritance.*
I stared at the words.
"Did Daniel know my father intended to leave me his estate?""
"Yes. He knew your father had arranged for you to inherit his controlling investment.""
I felt sick.
"Then he pursued me because of the money?""
Evelyn lowered her eyes.
"I believe that was one of the reasons.""
I sat down.
For twelve years, I'd believed Daniel had fallen in love with me.
Now I was questioning every anniversary, every kiss, every promise.
"Show me the agreement," I whispered.
Evelyn placed a document in front of me.
It was dated six months before my father's death.
The title read:
*BENNETT ENTERPRISES — PERMANENT SHAREHOLDER PROTECTION AGREEMENT.*
I read the first page.
My father had established a condition that would become effective if he died.
His controlling investment would transfer to me, with full voting rights.
Daniel would retain his minority stake and executive responsibilities, but he could never acquire my shares without my explicit consent.
There was another clause.
If anyone attempted to obtain control through fraudulent documents, the board would be required to initiate an independent investigation.
I looked up.
"Why haven't I seen this before?""
Evelyn turned the page.
"Because the original was hidden.""
"Where?""
She pointed toward the bottom of the document.
A handwritten note appeared beside my father's signature.
*Original held in trust by Evelyn Brooks.*
I stared at her.
"You've had this for eleven years?""
"Yes.""
"Why didn't you come forward?""
"Because your father asked me not to reveal it unless Daniel attempted to take control of the company.""
I remembered the forged transfer.
The attempted restructuring.
The $1.8 million in questionable payments.
Everything was happening exactly as my father had feared.
I turned another page.
A bank statement fell onto the table.
There were repeated payments to an account registered under a company called Westbridge Holdings.
The total exceeded $3 million.
"Who owns this company?""
Evelyn looked uncomfortable.
"That's the problem. Its ownership was hidden behind several corporate entities.""
"Did you find out?""
She nodded.
Then she handed me a document.
The beneficial owner was listed in a sealed corporate declaration.
I read the name.
Patricia Bennett.
Daniel's mother.
I leaned back.
"She was involved all along.""
"Yes.""
"How?""
Evelyn pulled out another photograph.
This one showed Patricia standing beside Richard Hale outside a bank.
The date was eleven years old.
My father's death had occurred three days later.
"Your father discovered Patricia was receiving payments from the same accounts Daniel had been using.""
I stared at the photograph.
"Why would she do that?""
"Because Patricia believed she deserved part of the company. She had invested a small amount of money when Daniel first started it, and she thought your father had treated her unfairly.""
"But she wasn't a majority shareholder.""
"No. And she wanted to change that.""
I closed the folder.
"Then the forged power of attorney was her idea.""
Evelyn nodded.
"She wanted Daniel to take control of your shares. The company would then be transferred into a holding structure controlled by people who had financed their operations.""
"Northbridge Capital.""
Evelyn's eyes widened.
"How do you know that name?""
"Richard Hale.""
She looked toward the window.
"Then they're already involved.""
Before I could ask another question, her phone vibrated.
She checked the screen and went pale.
"What is it?""
"Someone accessed my old storage account.""
"Who?""
"I don't know.""
She quickly packed several papers into her handbag.
"Olivia, we need to leave.""
A vehicle engine sounded outside.
I looked through the window.
A black SUV was approaching the boathouse.
Evelyn grabbed the red folder.
"Don't let them take this.""
The SUV stopped.
Two men stepped out.
One of them was Richard Hale.
The other was Daniel.
My husband walked toward the boathouse carrying a small leather bag.
He looked directly through the window.
Then he smiled.
Evelyn whispered, "How did he find us?""
I reached for my phone.
No signal.
The men approached the door.
Daniel knocked twice.
"Olivia, open up.""
I looked at Evelyn.
"What do we do?""
She grabbed my wrist.
"There's a second exit behind the storage cabinets.""
We rushed toward it.
But before Evelyn could open the hidden door, Daniel spoke again.
His voice was calm.
Almost gentle.
"Olivia, I know what's in that folder.""
May you like
He paused.
"And I know what your mother did the night your father died.""
