Chapter 2: The Name Behind the Money
I read the message three times.
Then I looked at Sophie.
She was watching me.
Not with fear anymore.
With calculation.
"Who sent that?"" she asked.
I slipped my phone into my pocket.
"Why?""
"Because you look like you've seen a ghost.""
"Maybe I have.""
I turned to Marcus.
"Nobody leaves this property without my permission.""
Sophie laughed bitterly.
"You think you can control everyone now because you've learned to stand?""
I stopped at the bottom of the staircase.
"No. I think I can finally see everyone clearly.""
I went upstairs.
My study was at the eastern end of the mansion, overlooking the ocean. It had been my father's favorite room before he died.
The walls were covered with bookshelves, and a massive walnut desk stood beneath the windows.
I closed the door and called the private investigator.
His name was Thomas Reed.
He had spent the last six weeks examining my financial records.
He answered on the second ring.
"Alexander?""
"I need you here.""
"Did something happen?""
"My wife tried to kill me.""
Silence.
Then Thomas spoke.
"Are you safe?""
"For now.""
"Don't confront her again. Don't touch any financial records she might have accessed. I'm coming over.""
"Thomas, I received a message.""
I read it aloud.
He was quiet for a moment.
"That's not good.""
"Do you know something?""
"I found something yesterday. I was waiting until I could verify it.""
"What?""
"Your wife wasn't making those transfers alone.""
I leaned against my desk.
"Who was helping her?""
"Someone with administrative access to Bennett Holdings.""
My company.
A real estate and investment empire built by my father and expanded by me over fifteen years.
Only five people had access to the most sensitive financial records.
My chief financial officer.
My personal attorney.
My executive assistant.
My head of security.
And my younger brother.
Daniel Bennett.
I closed my eyes.
Daniel.
He had been my closest friend since childhood.
After our father died, I had given him a senior position in the company. He was charming, intelligent, and good with people.
He had also been the first person to visit me in the hospital after my accident.
He had held my hand and promised that he would never let anyone take advantage of me.
I picked up my phone.
"Thomas, check Daniel.""
"I already did.""
My grip tightened.
"What did you find?""
"His personal account received several payments from a company registered overseas. The payments began eleven months ago.""
"How much?""
"Just over four million dollars.""
I stared at the ocean.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because the company sending the money is connected to an investment fund that your wife has been communicating with.""
"Who owns it?""
Thomas hesitated.
"That's the part I haven't verified.""
"Thomas.""
"I think Daniel is involved in something bigger than the transfers.""
A knock sounded at the door.
"Mr. Bennett?""
It was Daniel.
I looked at the closed door.
My brother had arrived earlier than expected.
"Come in.""
Daniel entered wearing a navy suit, carrying two coffees.
He was smiling.
"Brother! I heard about the accident. Jesus, you gave everyone a scare.""
He placed a coffee on my desk.
Then he noticed my wet clothes.
"What happened to you?""
I studied his face.
The familiar brown eyes.
The expensive watch.
The small scar above his left eyebrow from when we had fallen off our father's boat as children.
He looked exactly like the brother I remembered.
"Ask your sister-in-law.""
Daniel's smile disappeared.
"Where's Sophie?""
"Downstairs.""
"Is she okay?""
"Why wouldn't she be?""
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"I don't know. You know how emotional she gets.""
I walked around the desk.
"Daniel, do you remember what Dad used to say about family?""
He frowned.
"Which one?""
"That family was the only thing money couldn't buy.""
Daniel gave a small laugh.
"Yeah. He said that all the time.""
"Do you still believe it?""
He looked confused.
"Of course.""
I nodded toward the chair.
"Sit down.""
He remained standing.
"Actually, I have a meeting in an hour.""
"Then this won't take long.""
I opened my laptop.
On the screen was a list of transfers.
Daniel glanced at it.
For a fraction of a second, his jaw tightened.
Then he smiled.
"What's this?""
"Four million dollars.""
"Okay.""
"Transferred from an overseas investment fund into an account connected to your name.""
Daniel looked at me.
"Where did you get that?""
"Does it matter?""
"Yes, Alexander. It matters very much.""
He stepped toward the desk.
"Whoever gave you this information is trying to manipulate you.""
"Thomas Reed.""
Daniel's face changed.
"You're using that investigator?""
"Yes.""
"That's a mistake.""
"Why?""
"Because he's expensive, and he doesn't understand how this company works.""
I tilted my head.
"That's interesting. He seems to understand your bank accounts.""
Daniel's hand moved toward his coffee.
He picked it up, but didn't drink.
"Listen, I can explain.""
"Go ahead.""
He took a breath.
"Those transfers were legitimate consulting payments.""
"Four million dollars in consulting fees?""
"Over several months.""
"Who hired you?""
He hesitated.
Then he said, "Sophie.""
I stared at him.
"Your wife?""
"She needed help with some personal investments.""
"Without telling me?""
"You were recovering, Alex. We didn't want to stress you.""
I almost smiled.
That was always their excuse.
My disability.
My recovery.
My supposed inability to handle difficult information.
"Did you know she pushed me into the ocean?""
Daniel's coffee stopped halfway to his mouth.
"What?""
"She pushed my wheelchair off the marina dock.""
His eyes widened.
For one brief moment, I saw genuine shock.
Then something else replaced it.
"Are you sure?""
I didn't answer.
Daniel slowly placed the coffee down.
"Alexander, that's a serious accusation.""
"I know.""
"Maybe she panicked. Maybe she didn't realize what she was doing.""
I stared at him.
"She told me she wanted everything to be hers.""
Daniel said nothing.
Then he looked at my legs again.
"Wait. You've been walking?""
"Yes.""
"For how long?""
"Long enough.""
His expression became unreadable.
I watched him carefully.
He was calculating.
Not grieving.
Not relieved.
Calculating.
Finally, he leaned forward.
"Brother, listen to me. Whatever Sophie did, we can handle it privately. There's no reason to bring outsiders into this.""
I folded my arms.
"Outsiders?""
"Police. Lawyers. Investigators. You know how these things become.""
I nodded slowly.
"You're right.""
Daniel relaxed slightly.
"Good. That's what I'm saying.""
I reached for my phone.
"Then perhaps you'll help me understand this.""
I opened a second document.
It was a copy of a company registration.
The signature at the bottom belonged to me.
Except I had never signed it.
Daniel looked down.
And for the first time, he seemed genuinely afraid.
"Where did you get that?""
"From a company registered under my name.""
He said nothing.
I leaned forward.
"Daniel, why does this company own a life insurance policy on me worth thirty million dollars?""
His face went completely still.
Then his phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
I saw the name.
*Sophie.*
He declined the call.
A second later, a message appeared.
Daniel read it.
His fingers began trembling.
I reached across the desk.
"What's wrong?""
He turned his phone facedown.
"Nothing.""
I smiled without warmth.
"Then you won't mind telling me why your wife just texted you.""
Daniel stood abruptly.
"I have to go.""
"Sit down.""
"Alexander—"
"Sit. Down.""
He looked at me.
For a moment, I thought he might refuse.
Then he whispered something that made my blood run cold.
"You don't understand. If Sophie goes down, we're all going down.""
Before I could respond, he walked out.
I waited until the door closed.
Then I called Thomas.
"Find out everything about that insurance policy.""
"Already looking.""
"And Thomas?""
"Yes?""
"Find out who the beneficiary is.""
There was a pause.
"I think you're going to want to sit down for this.""
I gripped the edge of my desk.
"Tell me.""
"The beneficiary isn't Sophie.""
"Then who is it?""
May you like
Thomas exhaled.
"Your brother, Alexander.""
