Chapter 11: The Betrayal In The Room
The moment my father looked at Daniel, everything changed.
The man who had arrived with my mother’s letter.
The man who claimed he was there to protect the truth.
The man who had acted like he was on my side.
He suddenly looked like a stranger.
Daniel didn’t move.
“Arthur.””
My father’s voice was broken.
“Why?””
That single word carried years of pain.
Daniel sighed.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t figure it out this quickly.””
Vanessa stepped away.
“You?””
Daniel looked at her.
“I’m sorry.””
I stared.
“What are you talking about?””
Daniel looked at me.
“Your mother was my friend.””
My anger rose.
“Don’t say that.””
His face tightened.
“She trusted me.””
“Then why did she die?””
Silence.
Daniel looked down.
Because he knew.
Rachel slowly stepped backward.
“Daniel, what did you do?””
He didn’t answer.
My father moved closer.
“You were there.””
Daniel looked at him.
“Yes.””
My blood went cold.
“The night she died?””
Daniel nodded.
“I was there.””
I felt sick.
“Why?””
He looked exhausted.
“Because I tried to stop it.””
Victor laughed.
“Still pretending to be the hero.””
Daniel ignored him.
“I made mistakes.””
My father’s voice shook.
“Mistakes?””
He pointed toward me.
“My wife died.””
Daniel closed his eyes.
“I know.””
The room became painfully quiet.
I stepped forward.
“Tell me everything.””
Daniel looked at me.
“Your mother discovered Victor was stealing from the company.””
I nodded.
“We know.””
“But she also discovered something else.””
“What?””
Daniel hesitated.
“She found out the company wasn’t Victor’s biggest plan.””
My father frowned.
“What do you mean?””
Daniel looked at me.
“Victor wanted the Bennett trust.””
The same thing.
The inheritance.
Everything came back to money.
“How?””
Daniel answered:
“Through you.””
My chest tightened.
“He needed access to the next heir.””
Rachel understood first.
“The marriage clause.””
Daniel nodded.
“Exactly.””
Everyone looked at Vanessa.
She looked devastated.
“I was just a piece.””
Nobody answered.
Because she was.
Daniel continued.
“Your mother found out and tried to expose him.””
“Then what happened?””
Daniel looked at the floor.
“She called me.””
My father stepped forward.
“She trusted you.””
“Yes.””
“And?””
Daniel swallowed.
“I told Victor.””
The silence afterward was unbearable.
I stared at him.
“You betrayed her.””
Tears appeared in Daniel’s eyes.
“Yes.””
“Why?””
His answer was quiet.
“Because Victor threatened my family.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Everyone has an excuse.””
Daniel looked at me.
“You’re right.””
That surprised me.
He didn’t defend himself.
“I was afraid.””
My father shook his head.
“Your fear killed her.””
Daniel looked like he accepted that.
“Yes.””
Victor smiled.
“Finally. Someone admits the truth.””
I turned toward him.
“But you’re the one who planned it.””
Victor said nothing.
That was enough.
Rachel suddenly picked up the device.
“Wait.””
She replayed the recording.
The final seconds.
The static.
Then another sound.
A voice.
Not my mother.
A man.
The recording had captured someone else.
Everyone leaned closer.
The voice was faint.
But clear enough.
“Get rid of the problem.””
My blood ran cold.
Victor.
It was his voice.
Daniel looked at him.
“You said you wouldn’t hurt her.””
Victor’s expression hardened.
“You failed.””
The room erupted.
My father grabbed Victor’s arm.
Security moved toward us.
But Victor didn’t panic.
Instead, he smiled.
“You still don’t understand.””
I stared.
“What?””
He looked directly at me.
“Your mother wasn’t killed because she discovered the money.””
Nobody moved.
“She was killed because she discovered who you really are.””
My heart stopped.
“What does that mean?””
Victor stepped closer.
“You think Arthur raised you because he loved you?””
My father shouted:
“Enough.””
Victor ignored him.
“He raised you because he was afraid.””
I looked at my father.
“Afraid of what?””
Victor smiled.
Then he said:
“Afraid you would find out you were never supposed to inherit the Bennett fortune.””
The room went silent.
May you like
Victor leaned closer.
“Because your mother left everything to someone else.””
