Chapter 11: The Marriage That Was Never an Accident
Nobody spoke.
Thomas stood between two police officers, his hands clasped in front of him.
I wanted to shake him until he explained every word.
"What did Daniel own?"" I demanded.
Thomas glanced at James.
"Perhaps your attorney should explain.""
I turned toward James.
He looked as if someone had taken the ground from beneath him.
"James?""
He exhaled slowly.
"Your father had another investment before he established Bennett Global Solutions. It was a technology company called Meridian Systems.""
"I've never heard of it.""
"Because it was sold privately before you became involved in the family business.""
"Why does Daniel's name appear in connection with it?""
James hesitated.
"Daniel worked for Meridian Systems before he met you.""
I frowned.
"That's impossible. He told me he was working for a small software startup when we met.""
"That startup was Meridian.""
I stared at him.
"You're telling me Daniel worked for my father?""
"Yes.""
Thomas interrupted.
"Worked for him? That's an interesting way to describe it. Daniel was responsible for developing the company's original software platform.""
James shot him a warning look.
Thomas continued anyway.
"Robert promised him an ownership stake. Then he changed his mind.""
I felt my pulse quicken.
"Why?""
"Because your father discovered Daniel had been sharing confidential information with outside investors.""
I looked at James.
"Is that true?""
James nodded.
"Your father believed Daniel had stolen proprietary technology.""
Thomas laughed.
"Believed? Robert was obsessed with protecting his little empire. He accused everyone of stealing from him.""
I stepped closer.
"Then why did he let Daniel marry me?""
Thomas looked directly at me.
"Because Daniel convinced him he'd changed.""
I remembered our wedding.
My father's speech.
The way he'd hugged Daniel and whispered something in his ear.
At the time, I'd thought it was a father's blessing.
Now I wondered what he'd actually said.
James opened another folder.
"There is a document in the original company records that may explain this.""
He removed a photocopy.
It was a licensing agreement.
My father had apparently allowed Daniel to use certain software rights in exchange for a percentage of future profits.
But the agreement contained an unusual clause.
If Daniel married a direct beneficiary of the Bennett family trust, the licensing rights would automatically terminate unless the trustee granted written approval.
I read the sentence twice.
"Why would my father include that?""
James answered quietly.
"Because he suspected Daniel was trying to gain access to the trust through you.""
I felt sick.
"Was my marriage part of his business strategy?""
Thomas smiled.
"Ask your husband.""
I turned toward Detective Hill.
"I want Daniel brought here.""
The detective looked at his notes.
"He's currently at the hotel under the supervision of security. We can arrange an interview.""
"Now.""
At 4:20 a.m., Daniel entered the interview room.
He looked exhausted, but his confidence hadn't disappeared completely.
When he saw me, he stopped.
"Olivia.""
I placed the photograph on the table.
"Three days before you proposed.""
He looked at it.
Then at me.
"Where did you get that?""
"My father's archive.""
He pulled out a chair.
"Can we talk privately?""
"No.""
His jaw tightened.
I pushed the licensing agreement toward him.
"Did you work for my father before we met?""
He glanced at the document.
"Yes.""
"Did you steal his technology?""
"No.""
"Did you marry me because you wanted access to the trust?""
He laughed.
"That's ridiculous.""
"Then explain why my father believed you were trying to get close to me for business reasons.""
Daniel leaned back.
"Your father never liked me. He thought I wasn't good enough for you.""
"That's not an answer.""
He rubbed his forehead.
"Olivia, I loved you.""
I looked at him.
"Did you?""
"Yes.""
"Then why did you spend eleven years preparing to steal my inheritance?""
His expression hardened.
"Because I built that company!""
"With my father's money.""
"And your help," he added sarcastically.
I leaned forward.
"Don't forget that.""
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Daniel said something that made me go cold.
"Your father was going to destroy me before you ever became my wife.""
I stared at him.
"What?""
"He discovered the technology I'd developed could be worth hundreds of millions. He wanted to own it outright. I refused.""
"Did you steal it?""
"I protected what I created.""
"By marrying his daughter?""
Daniel looked away.
I felt my heart sink.
"Answer me.""
He finally looked up.
"I didn't plan to fall in love with you.""
The room became painfully quiet.
I felt tears gathering, but I refused to let them fall.
"That isn't what I asked.""
Daniel sighed.
"Thomas said marrying you would make the licensing dispute easier to resolve. He believed your father would eventually approve the arrangement.""
"And did you know about the trust?""
"Not at first.""
"When?""
"After your father died.""
I sat back.
"How convenient.""
He leaned forward.
"Olivia, listen. I made mistakes. But everything I did was to secure our future.""
I looked at him.
"You had a mistress wearing my mother's necklace.""
He flinched.
"Vanessa was a mistake.""
"Your forged documents weren't.""
He said nothing.
Then I asked the question I'd been afraid to ask.
"Did you know what happened to my father in the hospital?""
Daniel's eyes moved briefly toward Detective Hill.
A tiny movement.
But enough.
I stood.
"Daniel?""
He lowered his voice.
"Your father was already dying.""
"Did you know Thomas was involved?""
He remained silent.
"Did you know Dr. Mercer?""
His hands tightened.
Then he whispered:
"Thomas said your father would never wake up.""
I felt the blood drain from my face.
Detective Hill immediately stood.
"Mr. Bennett, I need you to repeat that.""
Daniel looked frightened.
"I didn't mean—"
"What exactly did Thomas tell you?""
Daniel shook his head.
"I want my attorney.""
Detective Hill stopped the interview.
But before the officers escorted Daniel out, he turned toward me.
"Olivia, you don't understand. Thomas wasn't the one who made the final decision.""
I froze.
"What decision?""
Daniel looked directly into my eyes.
"Your brother was the one who signed the hospital authorization.""
I couldn't move.
Nathan.
My little brother.
The boy who used to hide behind me whenever our father raised his voice.
The man who had cried on the phone that he hadn't killed Dad.
I whispered:
"Why?""
May you like
Daniel's answer was barely audible.
"Because your father was about to change his will.""
