Chapter 11: The Secret of Chef Bennett
I stared at Chef Bennett.
For several seconds, I couldn't understand the words.
"Your father?""
He nodded.
"Thomas Hayes was my biological father.""
Daniel slowly sat down.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?""
Bennett looked at the floor.
"Because Thomas and my mother separated before I was born. He never wanted me to become involved in the Ashford family situation.""
I shook my head.
"But Grandma knew?""
"Yes. Eleanor helped raise me after my mother died. I was twenty-three when I first met her.""
"Then you've known who I was this entire time?""
He nodded.
"I knew you were Thomas's daughter. I didn't know you would enter this competition.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because Eleanor asked me not to interfere with your life unless Charles came looking for you.""
I looked at the eleven-cake photograph on my phone.
"Did you know about the recipes?""
"Some of them.""
"Did you know Grandma hid documents inside the book?""
"No. She only told me that the Eleven Seasons would eventually lead you to the truth.""
I felt anger rising.
"You could have told me years ago.""
"I could have.""
"Why didn't you?""
His expression softened.
"Because your grandfather wanted you to have something he never had. A normal life.""
I looked away.
Normal.
I'd spent years working in small bakeries, saving money, and trying to earn a place in the city program.
I'd thought my biggest problem was not having enough money for professional equipment.
Meanwhile, my family history had been hiding beneath an abandoned hotel.
Daniel closed the book.
"There's something else we need to investigate.""
He pointed toward a document near the back.
It was an original copy of Margaret Ashford's will.
The document named two beneficiaries.
Anna Hayes.
Maya Hayes.
Each was entitled to fifty percent of the estate held in trust.
The estimated value was staggering.
Property, investments, hotel shares, and several commercial buildings.
Together, the assets were worth more than thirty million dollars.
I stared at the figure.
"That's impossible.""
Daniel shook his head.
"Your grandmother spent years trying to establish your identities as beneficiaries.""
"Then why didn't she tell us?""
"Because Charles had control of the estate's administration. He had enough influence to delay every legal challenge.""
Chef Bennett leaned closer.
"How did he get control?""
Daniel pointed to a signature at the bottom of the document.
"Forgery.""
I examined it.
The signature belonged to Margaret Ashford.
But something was wrong.
The date was from six months after her death.
"Someone signed this after she died.""
"Exactly.""
Daniel pulled another document from the folder.
"This is the original probate record. It proves the fraudulent amendment was filed without authorization.""
I looked at Charles's name.
He had signed as executor.
"He stole thirty million dollars?""
"More, potentially.""
I felt dizzy.
But the money wasn't what bothered me.
It was the thought of Anna.
She had grown up believing she was the daughter of a wealthy businessman.
She'd been given everything money could buy.
Yet she'd been deprived of the one thing that mattered.
Her identity.
And I'd been deprived of a sister.
"Where is Anna?"" I asked.
Detective Morris approached.
"We've located her.""
I stood.
"Is she alive?""
"Yes. She's at St. Catherine's under police protection.""
I nearly collapsed with relief.
"Can I see her?""
"Once the doctors confirm she's stable.""
I nodded.
Then I remembered my mother.
"What about Sarah?""
Detective Morris's expression changed.
"We haven't found her yet.""
I gripped the edge of the table.
"Charles is in custody. He can't move her anymore.""
"Someone else may have helped him.""
I looked at Daniel.
He was staring at a document.
"What is it?""
He slowly turned the page toward us.
It was a list of financial transfers from the Ashford estate.
Several payments had been made to a private medical facility.
But one payment stood out.
It had been transferred three days earlier.
The recipient was a company called Laurent Heritage Holdings.
I looked at Chef Bennett.
"Isn't that connected to the old hotel?""
He nodded.
"Yes. The company owns the building and several properties nearby.""
Daniel pointed to the signature.
"Do you recognize this name?""
I leaned closer.
The signature belonged to Vivienne Laurent.
I didn't want to believe it.
Vivienne had been the first person to recognize my grandmother's recipe.
She had defended me when Brielle accused me of changing the rules.
She had told me about Eleanor's stolen work.
And now her name appeared on a financial transfer connected to Charles.
I called her.
She answered after two rings.
"Maya?""
"Where is my mother?""
Silence.
Then she sighed.
"Are you with the police?""
"Yes.""
"Then you should ask them.""
"I am asking you.""
Another pause.
"I can't explain over the phone.""
"Did you receive money from Charles?""
Her voice became quiet.
"How much do you know?""
"Enough.""
She exhaled.
"Meet me at the Laurent Hotel tomorrow morning.""
"No. Tell me now.""
"I can't.""
"Why?""
"Because there are things about your mother that even Eleanor didn't know.""
I closed my eyes.
"Vivienne, if you have been helping Charles—"
"I haven't.""
"Then prove it.""
She hesitated.
"Bring the Eleven Seasons book.""
The call ended.
I looked at Detective Morris.
"She's involved.""
"Perhaps," she replied.
"But we need evidence.""
Daniel shook his head.
"Vivienne was Eleanor's closest friend. She wouldn't betray her.""
Chef Bennett looked toward the cellar staircase.
"People do terrible things when they're afraid.""
I looked down at the book.
A small piece of paper had fallen from its back cover.
It was folded into quarters.
I opened it.
There was a handwritten address.
And beneath it, a sentence.
*If Vivienne asks for the book, do not give it to her. She knows where Sarah is.*
My grandmother's handwriting.
I showed everyone.
Detective Morris immediately reached for her radio.
"Get a unit to the Laurent Hotel. Now.""
But before she could finish, my phone rang.
A hospital number.
I answered.
A nurse spoke urgently.
"Miss Hayes, this is St. Catherine's Medical Center. Your sister is awake.""
I closed my eyes.
"Can I speak to her?""
"She asked for you.""
I looked at the photograph of Anna.
"Put her on.""
A weak voice came through.
"Maya?""
"Anna. I'm here.""
"Listen carefully.""
Her breathing was uneven.
"Charles didn't take Mom to Ashford Private Care.""
I frowned.
"What?""
"That place was only a temporary stop.""
"Where is she?""
Anna swallowed.
"She's at the old Laurent Hotel.""
My blood ran cold.
"Why?""
May you like
Anna began crying.
"Because Vivienne has been keeping her there.""
