Chapter 5 - THE TRUST
The police took the attacker.
But my father didn't trust the police.
Not anymore.
Too many people had access to the family.
Too many records had been altered.
Too many secrets had been buried.
Michael moved the blue box to a secure location.
The next morning, he explained the trust to me.
“Your mother created it because she knew something was wrong.”
“What?”
“She believed someone was trying to take control of the company.”
“Who?”
“We don't know yet.”
Dad sat beside me.
“You don't need to worry about the company.”
“But people are trying to hurt me.”
Dad looked at me.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because of what your mother left you.”
I looked at the documents.
“What exactly do I own?”
Michael answered.
“Fifty-two percent of Bennett Holdings.”
My eyes widened.
“That's a lot.”
“It is.”
“Does Dad own anything?”
My father smiled sadly.
“I own forty percent.”
“What about the rest?”
“Eight percent is divided among other shareholders.”
Michael nodded.
“But when Ethan turns eighteen, his shares become fully voting shares.”
Dad looked at him.
“And before that?”
“Daniel remains trustee.”
I looked at my father.
“So you control my money?”
“For now.”
“Can Vanessa take it?”
“No.”
“Can Uncle Robert?”
“No.”
“Can Grandma?”
“No.”
“Then why are they trying?”
Michael hesitated.
“Because the trust contains a hidden clause.”
“What clause?”
He looked at Dad.
“Your mother created a succession condition.”
“What does that mean?”
“If Ethan dies before eighteen, the shares don't go to Daniel.”
Dad frowned.
“Where do they go?”
“To the next biological descendant of your wife's family.”
“Who?”
Michael closed the file.
“We don't know.”
I didn't understand.
Dad did.
“That's why someone wants Ethan dead.”
Michael nodded.
The room became silent.
Dad stood.
“I won't let that happen.”
That afternoon, my uncle arrived.
Robert Bennett.
He walked into the house like nothing had happened.
He even smiled.
“Daniel.”
Dad didn't return the greeting.
“Where were you last night?”
Robert looked confused.
“At home.”
“You didn't answer your phone.”
“I was asleep.”
Dad placed the photograph from the attacker on the table.
Robert's smile disappeared.
“What's that?”
“Someone broke into the old house.”
Robert stared at the photograph.
“That's terrible.”
“Someone wanted the blue box.”
Robert looked at me.
Then away.
Dad noticed.
“Why are you afraid?”
“I'm not.”
“You are.”
Robert shook his head.
“You don't know what you're dealing with.”
“Then tell me.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
Robert stood.
“Because your wife made enemies.”
Dad stepped closer.
“She made enemies because she discovered the truth.”
Robert's face hardened.
“You should stop digging.”
Dad stared at him.
“Or what?”
Robert looked at me.
“Or your son will pay.”
My father grabbed his arm.
“Don't threaten my son.”
Robert pulled away.
“I didn't threaten him.”
“You just did.”
Robert walked toward the door.
Then he stopped.
“One thing.”
“What?”
“You should ask your mother who the father of the trust really was.”
Dad froze.
“What does that mean?”
Robert left.
My father turned toward Grandma.
She was standing in the hallway.
She looked terrified.
“Mom.”
She started crying.
“I never wanted this.”
“Wanted what?”
She whispered:
“Your wife wasn't the first heir.”
Dad stared.
“What?”
“She was the second.”
My heart began beating faster.
“Then who was first?”
Grandma looked at me.
“A child who disappeared before you were born.”
Dad's face went pale.
“What child?”
Grandma's voice broke.
“Your mother's firstborn.”
Silence.
My father shook his head.
“She never had another child.”
Grandma looked at him.
“She did.”
“Who?”
“She was forced to give the baby away.”
Dad stared at her.
“By whom?”
Grandma couldn't answer.
Then the front door opened.
Maria entered holding an envelope.
“This came for Ethan.”
Dad took it.
There was no return address.
Inside was a photograph.
A baby.
On the back was a name.
LILY BENNETT.
May you like
And beneath it:
YOUR SISTER IS ALIVE.
