Chapter 7: The Name on the Envelope
Maya stared at the name until the ink seemed to blur.
*Marcus.*
Her fingers tightened around the envelope.
“No,” she whispered.
Marcus looked at her.
“Maya—”
“Don't.””
He stopped.
Across the patio, Vanessa was crying silently. Daniel stood near the locked mansion doors, watching the envelope as though it contained a bomb.
Maya looked at the woman in the silver dress.
“You said my father asked you to watch over me.””
“He did.””
“And this says Marcus.””
The woman nodded.
Marcus took a slow breath.
“Let me explain.””
Maya shook her head.
“You knew?””
“No.””
“You knew my father?””
Marcus hesitated.
“Not the way you're thinking.””
“Then how?””
The woman stepped closer.
“Your father contacted Marcus six months before he died.””
Marcus looked at her sharply.
“You weren't supposed to tell her yet.””
“She deserves to know.””
Daniel suddenly laughed.
“That is unbelievable.””
Marcus turned.
“What?””
Daniel's smile returned.
“You're all standing around accusing each other while nobody asks the obvious question.””
Maya looked at him.
“What question?””
Daniel pointed at the envelope.
“Why would your father leave a warning about Marcus if Marcus was supposed to protect you?””
Marcus's face tightened.
“Because he knew I was being watched.””
The silver-dressed woman nodded.
“He suspected someone inside the family was helping Daniel.””
Vanessa looked up.
“Inside the family?””
Marcus looked at her.
“Yes.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“You thought it was me.””
“I didn't know.””
“You watched me for months.””
“I watched everyone.””
Maya felt her chest tighten.
“Marcus, what aren't you telling me?””
He looked at the pool.
Then back at her.
“Your father didn't die thinking the inheritance was the only thing they wanted.””
Maya's voice dropped.
“What else?””
“The trust contains something more valuable.””
Daniel's expression changed.
Maya noticed.
“What?””
Marcus answered quietly.
“A private company.””
She stared.
“My father owned several companies.””
“Not publicly.””
Marcus stepped closer.
“One of them was hidden from almost everyone. It holds patents and contracts worth far more than the estate.””
Vanessa whispered, “I didn't know that.””
Daniel snapped, “Neither did I.””
Marcus looked at him.
“You're lying.””
Daniel's face hardened.
“I knew about the company.””
Maya turned toward him.
“How?””
Daniel said nothing.
The silver-dressed woman opened her purse again.
“Your father kept the ownership documents in a private vault.””
Maya swallowed.
“And my thirtyth birthday?””
“That's when control transfers to you.””
Daniel suddenly slammed his palm against the door.
“Enough.””
Everyone jumped.
“You think this is about money?”” he shouted.
Marcus stepped forward.
“Then tell us what it's about.””
Daniel looked at Maya.
“Your father destroyed my family.””
Maya frowned.
“What?””
“He built his company using technology that belonged to my father.””
The room went silent.
Vanessa stared at Daniel.
“You never told me that.””
“Because it wasn't your concern.””
“You said you needed the inheritance.””
“I needed access.””
Maya's eyes narrowed.
“Access to what?””
Daniel smiled.
“The vault.””
Marcus immediately looked at the envelope.
“Where is it?””
Daniel didn't answer.
Maya looked at the silver-dressed woman.
“Where?””
She shook her head.
“Only the person your father designated can open it.””
Maya's heart began pounding.
“Me.””
“Yes.””
Daniel moved.
Marcus caught his arm.
Daniel twisted free and shoved him backward.
The guests screamed.
Marcus recovered instantly and stepped between Daniel and Maya.
“Don't come near her.””
Daniel stared at him.
“You still don't understand, Marcus.””
Marcus clenched his fists.
“What?””
Daniel smiled.
“Your father didn't just leave you a warning.””
He looked at Maya.
“He left you a choice.””
Maya slowly opened the envelope.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
At the bottom was her father's signature.
Above it, one sentence:
*If Marcus is standing beside you when you read this, ask him why he was at the hospital the night I died.*
Maya's blood ran cold.
She looked up.
Marcus didn't move.
“Why were you at the hospital that night?””
May you like
Marcus closed his eyes.
And for the first time, Maya saw fear on his face.
