Chapter 3 - THE COMPANY WITH DANIEL’S NAME
I woke in recovery with an empty feeling beneath my ribs.
For one terrified second, I thought the babies were gone.
Then Daniel appeared beside the bed.
His face was exhausted.
“They are alive.”
I began crying.
“Both?”
“Both.”
He pressed his forehead against my hand.
“Our daughter is six pounds.”
“Our son is five pounds, four ounces.”
“They are in the NICU.”
“Can I see them?”
“When the doctor clears you.”
His voice broke on the final word.
I looked at him carefully.
“What happened at the house?”
“Vanessa was arrested.”
“Did they find the recording?”
“Yes.”
Relief moved through me.
Then I remembered the documents.
“The trust.”
“The transfer was stopped.”
“The bank froze the account.”
I closed my eyes.
“Thank God.”
Daniel did not look relieved.
“What else?”
He pulled a chair closer.
“The destination company is registered under my name.”
“What?”
“Mercer International Holdings.”
“It was created fourteen months ago.”
“The documents list me as chairman.”
“Did you sign them?”
“No.”
“Who did?”
“Someone forged my signature.”
Daniel opened a file on his tablet.
The company had received more than two million dollars during the previous year.
Payments came from suppliers, subcontractors, and investment accounts connected to Mercer Global Engineering.
Some transactions were described as consulting fees.
Others were refunds.
Three large transfers appeared to come directly from Daniel’s corporate expense account.
“I never approved these,” he said.
“Then who had access?”
“My chief financial officer.”
“Your mother.”
“And Vanessa.”
Daniel’s mother, Patricia Mercer, had founded the company with his late father.
She no longer worked daily operations.
But she remained board chair and had access to several legacy accounts.
Vanessa worked in corporate relations.
Her official job involved events and donor partnerships.
In reality, Patricia had created a position that allowed her daughter to receive a salary without measurable responsibilities.
“Why would Vanessa move money under your name?” I asked.
“To make me responsible if anyone discovered it.”
Daniel scrolled farther.
A bank loan for nine million dollars had been secured using Mercer International Holdings.
The guarantor was Daniel.
The application included his passport copy, tax returns, and electronic signature.
The money had disappeared through several overseas accounts.
“I was overseas when the loan was approved,” he said.
“Could they claim you signed remotely?”
“Yes.”
“That is probably why they waited.”
My stomach tightened.
Vanessa had not attacked me only because she needed the twins’ trust.
She needed the final $150,000 to cover an upcoming interest payment.
Without it, the secret company would default.
The lender would investigate Daniel.
His real company might be frozen.
His professional licenses could be questioned.
His name would appear on every fraudulent document.
“How much is missing?” I asked.
“More than eleven million.”
The room became silent.
“Does your mother know?”
Daniel did not answer immediately.
“I called her.”
“What did she say?”
“She said Vanessa made a mistake.”
I stared at him.
“A mistake?”
“She asked me not to press charges.”
I tried to sit up.
Pain tore across my abdomen.
Daniel supported my shoulders.
“Do not move.”
“Your sister nearly killed our babies.”
“I know.”
“And your mother called it a mistake?”
“She says Vanessa has debts.”
“What kind?”
“She would not tell me.”
I looked toward the hospital window.
Patricia had never liked me.
She called me independent as though it were an insult.
She often reminded Daniel that Mercer money should remain inside the Mercer bloodline.
When we created the twins’ trust, she demanded to become co-trustee.
We refused.
The account was funded partly by money my grandmother left me.
Patricia never accepted that.
“Daniel.”
He looked at me.
“Vanessa knew I would be alone.”
“She knew where the camera was.”
“She knew the account balance.”
“She had a key.”
“She did not plan this by herself.”
His face became still.
“I know.”
A nurse entered.
“Mr. Mercer, someone is asking to see you.”
“Who?”
“Your mother.”
Daniel stood.
“Do not let her into this room.”
The nurse nodded.
A second woman appeared behind her.
Detective Kim.
She carried another evidence bag.
Inside was a gold house key.
“We found this in Vanessa’s purse,” she said.
“The engraving matches a set registered to your mother’s address.”
Then she placed a printed text conversation beside it.
Patricia had sent Vanessa a message one hour before the attack.
May you like
Rachel will be alone until Daniel’s flight lands tomorrow.
Get the authorization today.
