Chapter 10 - LAUREN'S CONFESSION
We found Lauren at an old hotel outside Austin.
Police surrounded the building.
But Victor had anticipated that.
Lauren was on the fifth floor.
Alone.
At least, that's what she told us.
I entered the room first.
Lauren stood beside the window.
Her face was pale.
When she saw me, she started crying.
“Ryan.”
I stopped several feet away.
“Where is Victor?”
“He left.”
“Why?”
“Because he knew you were coming.”
I stared at her.
“Then why are you here?”
“Because I couldn't do it anymore.”
“Do what?”
“Lie.”
She looked at me.
“I hurt Olivia.”
“Yes.”
“I scared her.”
“Yes.”
“I blamed Sofia.”
“Yes.”
“I tried to make you believe she was dangerous.”
“Yes.”
Tears ran down her face.
“I am sorry.”
I wanted to believe her.
But I couldn't.
“Why did you do it?”
She sat down.
“My mother.”
I said nothing.
“She worked for Northbridge.”
“I know.”
“She had debts.”
“What kind?”
“Millions.”
I stared.
“She stole money from clients.”
“Then Victor used the debt against her?”
“Yes.”
Lauren explained everything.
Her mother had discovered the trust.
She knew Olivia would become the controlling beneficiary.
Victor wanted the trustee removed.
He needed someone inside the house.
Lauren was chosen.
But Lauren didn't initially know the full plan.
She thought she was helping them gain access to financial records.
Then Victor showed her photographs of Rachel.
Alive.
Being held somewhere.
He told Lauren that if she refused, Rachel would die.
Lauren believed him.
“So you obeyed.”
“Yes.”
“Even when Olivia was crying?”
She lowered her head.
“Yes.”
I felt anger rise.
“You still made choices.”
“I know.”
“You could have told me.”
“I tried.”
“When?”
“The night before Olivia was born.”
I froze.
“What happened?”
“I wrote you a letter.”
“Where is it?”
“Victor took it.”
She reached into her purse.
Then pulled out another letter.
“This one survived.”
I opened it.
My father's handwriting.
Not Lauren's.
I read:
Ryan, if Lauren ever tells you she is being forced, believe her before you judge her. But never give her the trust certificate.
I stared.
Lauren began crying harder.
“Your father knew.”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“He knew Victor would use me.”
Then Lauren said:
“There is something I never told anyone.”
“What?”
“Victor isn't the real owner of Northbridge.”
I looked at her.
“Who is?”
She whispered:
“Your grandfather.”
I froze.
“My grandfather died thirty years ago.”
“I know.”
“Then how?”
“He created a second identity.”
“What identity?”
She looked toward the door.
“Arthur Shaw.”
I knew the name.
The founder of the hospital network.
The man whose foundation had donated millions.
The man who had been publicly dead for years.
Lauren whispered:
“Victor is his son.”
My blood ran cold.
“Then who is Arthur Shaw?”
May you like
Lauren looked at me.
“Your grandfather.”
