Chapter 7: My Mother Revealed Why Daniel Married Me
"Your husband didn't meet you by accident. He was sent to find you.""
My mother's words echoed through the hotel suite.
I gripped the phone so tightly my fingers hurt.
"What are you talking about?""
"Vivienne, sweetheart, you need to listen carefully. Daniel knew who you were before he approached you.""
I looked at my father.
He had gone completely still.
"Mom, where are you? Why are you telling me this now?""
"I tried to contact you before. Your father blocked every attempt.""
Dad stepped forward.
"Claire, that's not true.""
My mother laughed bitterly through her tears.
"Richard, please don't pretend. Not tonight.""
I looked between them.
"Stop! Both of you. I want answers.""
There was a pause.
Then Mom spoke again.
"Three years ago, Daniel Whitmore was working for a private investment company. That company had been trying to gain control of Bennett Hospitality for years.""
"Why?""
"Because your grandfather placed something in the family trust that Eleanor's family desperately wanted.""
I glanced at the document on the table.
My daughter's inheritance.
"Was it money?""
"No, sweetheart. It was controlling voting rights in several hotel properties. Those rights could determine who controlled the company.""
My father shook his head.
"Claire, you're leaving out important details.""
"Then tell her, Richard. Tell her what happened to the original ownership agreement.""
Dad didn't answer.
My mother continued.
"Your grandfather and I created a separate agreement before you were born. It protected your inheritance and prevented anyone outside the direct bloodline from taking control of the family company.""
I stared at the paperwork.
"Then why is Eleanor claiming ownership?""
"Because she believes the original agreement was never legally completed.""
"Was it?""
My mother lowered her voice.
"It was. And I have the original.""
The room went silent.
Margaret immediately leaned forward.
"Mrs. Bennett, do you know where the document is?""
"I do. But before I hand it over, I need to see my daughter.""
My throat tightened.
"Mom, I want to see you.""
She began crying again.
"Tomorrow morning. Nine o'clock. The old Bennett estate, in Greenwich.""
Dad interrupted.
"No.""
I turned toward him.
"Why not?""
"Vivienne, this is too dangerous. You don't know what you're walking into.""
My mother spoke sharply.
"Richard, you don't get to decide that anymore.""
Then the call ended.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Finally, I turned toward my father.
"Why did you tell me she was dead?""
He looked devastated.
"Because I thought she had betrayed us.""
"You thought?""
"Twenty years ago, I found documents suggesting she had transferred company assets without my knowledge. I confronted her. She disappeared before I could get an explanation.""
"And you decided she was dead?""
"I was told she had died overseas.""
"By whom?""
Dad looked toward Margaret.
She opened another folder.
"Mr. Bennett, I believe we should examine the old investigation records.""
My father nodded slowly.
Margaret placed several documents on the table.
One contained a list of people interviewed during the original dispute.
At the bottom was a name I recognized.
Eleanor Whitmore.
Beside it was a handwritten note:
*Witness declined further cooperation.*
I looked up.
"She knew my mother?""
"Apparently," Margaret answered.
Dad rubbed his forehead.
"Claire and Eleanor were acquainted through a business partnership. I never knew how close they were.""
I sat down.
"Mom said Daniel was sent to find me. Who sent him?""
Margaret examined another document.
"The investment company Daniel worked for was called Whitmore Capital.""
I looked at my father.
"His family's company?""
"Yes.""
"Then why did nobody investigate him before we married?""
Dad closed his eyes.
"Because I didn't know he was connected to the old dispute until tonight.""
My phone vibrated.
A message from Daniel appeared.
*Please don't believe everything your mother tells you. She destroyed this family once.*
Another message followed.
*Ask your father what happened to the original shareholders.*
I showed Margaret.
She read both messages.
Then she looked at my father.
"Sir, I think we should verify whether Daniel has access to any of the original company records.""
Dad nodded.
"Do it.""
I stood and walked toward the window.
Three years of marriage suddenly looked different.
I remembered our first meeting at a charity auction.
Daniel had approached me after noticing the small silver necklace around my neck.
He had told me it was beautiful.
He had asked where I got it.
I'd told him it belonged to my mother.
At the time, I'd thought he was simply being polite.
Now I wondered whether he had recognized it.
"Margaret?""
"Yes?""
"Can you find out whether Daniel knew my mother's identity before we met?""
"I'll investigate.""
My father approached me.
"Sweetheart, you need rest. We can handle the business matters tomorrow.""
I looked at him.
"I've spent twenty years believing my mother was dead. I won't spend another night waiting for someone else to decide what I deserve to know.""
He nodded.
Then he did something unexpected.
He handed me his car keys.
"The estate is yours as much as mine. If you want to see your mother tomorrow, I'll take you.""
I hugged him.
But I couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was waiting for us.
At 2:17 a.m., Margaret called.
I answered immediately.
"Did you find something?""
Her voice was tense.
"Yes. Daniel's employment records show that he was assigned to a project involving your family three months before your first meeting.""
My stomach dropped.
"What was the project called?""
She hesitated.
"Operation Heir.""
Then she sent me a scanned document.
At the top was Daniel's photograph.
Below it were instructions.
*Identify Richard Bennett's daughter. Establish personal relationship. Obtain access to family trust information.*
May you like
But it was the final line that made my blood run cold.
*Marriage is an acceptable long-term strategy if necessary.*
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