Chapter 5 - The Son Who Was Stolen From MeArthur met Ethan at an abandoned train station.
He recognized him immediately.
Not because of the photograph.
Because Ethan had his mother's eyes.
Arthur stopped several feet away.
“Ethan?”
The young man nodded.
“Yes.”
“You know who I am.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you come to me?”
Ethan looked away.
“Because I was told you didn't want me.”
Arthur felt those words like a physical blow.
“Who told you?”
“Eleanor.”
Arthur froze.
“My wife?”
“She said you believed I was dangerous.”
“I never knew you existed.”
“I know.”
Silence.
Then Ethan handed him a letter.
“Your wife left this for me.”
Arthur opened it.
Arthur,
I am sorry.
I took your son because I believed I was protecting him.
You were surrounded by people who wanted to use him.
Arthur looked up.
“Why?”
Ethan answered.
“Because my mother was Lydia.”
Arthur stared.
“Then Grace…”
“My daughter.”
Everything stopped.
Grace wasn't simply Lydia's child.
She was Ethan's daughter.
Arthur's granddaughter.
The baby who had touched his leg…
was his family.
“Where is she?”
Ethan's face tightened.
“Victor has her.”
Arthur's blood ran cold.
“Victor?”
“He isn't working alone.”
“Who?”
Ethan hesitated.
“Your board chairman.”
Arthur knew the name.
Samuel Grant.
A man who had been beside him for thirty years.
He had managed the company after Arthur's accident.
He had always told Arthur:
“Don't worry. I'll handle everything.”
Arthur suddenly understood.
Samuel had controlled the company while Arthur was in the hospital.
He had access to the research.
The trust.
The family records.
Everything.
Arthur returned home.
His attorney was waiting.
“There has been a development.”
“What?”
“The company shares have been transferred.”
Arthur stared.
“To whom?”
“An offshore holding company.”
“Who owns it?”
The attorney handed him the document.
The beneficiary was Grace.
Arthur frowned.
“Why would they transfer everything to my granddaughter?”
“Because if Grace dies, the shares revert to the secondary beneficiary.”
“Who?”
Arthur looked down.
His blood froze.
Samuel Grant.
They didn't want Grace alive.
They wanted her dead.
Because her death would unlock the entire family fortune.
Arthur immediately called the police.
Then he called Samuel.
Samuel answered calmly.
“Arthur.”
“You have my granddaughter.”
Silence.
Then Samuel laughed.
“You finally understand.”
“Where is she?”
“Safe.”
“Bring her back.”
“You don't have the research.”
“I'll give it to you.”
“No.”
“What do you want?”
“I want what your family stole.”
Arthur closed his eyes.
“My family didn't steal anything.”
Samuel's voice became cold.
“Your grandfather stole my father's company.”
Arthur froze.
“My grandfather?”
“Yes.”
Samuel explained that his father had been the original creator of the research.
The Hale family had taken credit.
The company.
The patents.
Everything.
Samuel had spent decades preparing revenge.
He manipulated Arthur's board.
He manipulated Teresa.
He manipulated Victor.
He manipulated everyone.
But there was one problem.
Lydia discovered the truth.
She tried to expose him.
Samuel ordered her killed.
Ethan survived.
Grace survived.
And Eleanor had hidden them.
Arthur's hands trembled.
“Where is Grace?”
Samuel laughed.
“Under the old hospital.”
Arthur knew exactly where.
The abandoned research facility.
The place where the original experiments had been conducted.
Arthur grabbed his coat.
“I'll come.”
Ethan stopped him.
“I'm coming too.”
Arthur looked at him.
“No.”
“You need me.”
Arthur hesitated.
Ethan stepped closer.
“You spent thirty years believing you lost everything.”
He looked at him.
“You didn't.”
May you like
Arthur finally nodded.
“Then let's bring your daughter home.”
