Chapter 5 - THE FATHER-IN-LAW WHO DISAPPEARED
Daniel's father was named Richard Hayes.
According to every official record, he had died six years earlier.
But Thomas had proof that he was alive.
He had been living under another name.
A former business executive.
A private investor.
A man who had purchased property through shell companies.
Rachel traced one of those companies to a mansion outside the city.
We arrived just after sunset.
My father insisted on coming.
So did Thomas.
We entered through the front gate.
A security guard tried to stop us.
Then Thomas showed him a photograph.
The guard immediately stepped aside.
Inside, the house was silent.
Too silent.
We entered the study.
An older man stood beside the window.
Gray hair.
Dark suit.
Cold eyes.
Richard.
He turned.
“Arthur.”
My father stared at him.
“You ruined my daughter.”
Richard smiled.
“She ruined herself.”
I stepped forward.
“You sent Daniel to marry me.”
“Yes.”
“You knew about my inheritance.”
“Yes.”
“You planned to take my company.”
Richard shrugged.
“Business.”
“You destroyed my marriage.”
“That was necessary.”
I stared at him.
“You don't feel anything?”
He looked genuinely confused.
“Feelings are irrelevant.”
I almost laughed.
“You sound like my grandmother.”
He smiled.
“She was a remarkable woman.”
My father stepped forward.
“She murdered Thomas Carter.”
Richard's expression changed.
“That was never proven.”
Thomas walked into the room.
Richard went pale.
“You.”
Thomas smiled.
“Surprised?”
Richard stepped backward.
“You were supposed to be dead.”
“So was I.”
The room became silent.
Thomas placed the documents on the desk.
“We know everything.”
Richard looked at me.
“You don't understand what you're holding.”
“I understand enough.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“You inherited more than a company.”
I frowned.
“What else?”
“The Carter family owns land beneath the entire river district.”
My father stared.
“What?”
Richard laughed.
“Carter Technologies is only the visible part.”
He explained that the original trust controlled dozens of properties.
Hotels.
Warehouses.
Commercial towers.
Private land.
The company was worth billions if everything was consolidated.
That was why everyone had wanted control.
Not because of the company.
Because of what was beneath it.
I looked at Richard.
“You wanted all of it.”
“Yes.”
“And Daniel?”
“Was useful.”
I stared.
“You never loved your son.”
Richard smiled.
“Love makes men weak.”
My father moved forward.
“You're finished.”
Richard laughed.
“Am I?”
He pressed a button.
The doors opened.
Several lawyers entered.
Richard handed them a folder.
“The transfer documents are already filed.”
My heart stopped.
“What transfer?”
“Your company.”
I looked at Rachel.
She checked her phone.
Her face changed.
“Emily…”
“What?”
“Someone just filed an emergency ownership challenge.”
“Who?”
She looked at me.
“Daniel.”
My blood ran cold.
Richard smiled.
“Your husband is claiming you obtained the shares through fraudulent means.”
I stared at him.
“He knows they're mine.”
“Doesn't matter.”
Richard stood.
“By the time the court hears the case, your assets will be frozen.”
My father looked furious.
But I remained calm.
Because Richard had made one mistake.
He had told us his plan.
And now we could stop it.
I looked at Rachel.
“Can we prove the shares belonged to my trust?”
“Yes.”
“Can we prove Daniel knew?”
“Yes.”
“Can we prove the marriage was arranged to gain access?”
“Yes.”
I smiled.
“Then let him file the lawsuit.”
Richard's expression changed.
“What?”
“I want him to.”
My father looked at me.
May you like
I whispered:
“Because once this goes to court, everything comes out.”
