Chapter 13 - THE GRANDMOTHER WHO CAME BACK FROM THE DEAD
Grant drove faster than he ever had in his life.
Federal vehicles followed.
Claire sat beside him.
Her hands shook.
“She won’t hurt them if she thinks they’re useful.”
Grant looked at her.
“That doesn’t comfort me.”
At the penthouse, Helen Ward sat at Grant’s dining table.
Sophie and Luke sat across from her.
Two armed men stood near the windows.
Marian was on the floor beside the kitchen island.
Alive.
Grant entered slowly.
Claire remained with agents downstairs despite wanting to come.
Helen looked up.
Age had changed her.
But Grant recognized the eyes from every childhood photograph.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
Grant stopped.
“You’re not allowed to call me that.”
Helen smiled sadly.
“You look like Henry when you’re angry.”
“My father was a criminal.”
“Your father built something magnificent.”
“He destroyed families.”
Helen’s expression hardened.
“He did what was necessary.”
Sophie looked at Grant.
“Dad.”
The word hit Helen.
She smiled.
“So they know.”
Grant kept his voice steady.
“Let them go.”
Helen placed a hand on Sophie’s shoulder.
Sophie flinched.
Grant almost lost control.
“I said let them go.”
Helen sighed.
“You still don’t understand what Claire took from us.”
“She had evidence capable of destroying billions in family assets.”
“I offered her money.”
“She refused.”
“So you stole her children?”
“I protected the Bennett name.”
Grant stared at the woman he had mourned for most of his life.
“You were willing to destroy your own grandchildren.”
Helen looked at Sophie and Luke.
“They were never supposed to suffer.”
Grant laughed bitterly.
“They were homeless.”
Helen’s face shifted.
That detail surprised her.
Grant saw it.
Victor had lied to her too.
The machine had become so corrupt that even its architects no longer controlled it.
Helen glanced toward one of the armed men.
That was enough.
Grant moved.
Federal tactical officers burst through the windows and hallway simultaneously.
One man surrendered.
The other reached for Sophie.
Luke kicked his knee.
Sophie ducked.
Grant pulled both children behind him.
Within seconds, Helen was on the floor in handcuffs.
Grant stared down at her.
She looked smaller.
Older.
Human.
“You’re destroying your inheritance.”
Helen hissed.
Grant held Sophie and Luke closer.
“No.”
“I finally found it.”
Helen was taken away.
Claire came upstairs minutes later.
The children saw her.
For one frozen second, nobody moved.
Then Sophie screamed.
“Mom!”
Claire fell to her knees.
Sophie and Luke crashed into her arms.
Grant stood several feet away, crying openly.
The family that should have existed seven years ago was finally in one room.
But the reunion did not last long.
Rachel received an urgent call.
Victor Hale had regained consciousness.
He wanted immunity.
In exchange, he offered evidence against Helen Bennett.
Grant almost laughed.
Then Rachel’s expression changed.
“What?”
She looked at him.
“Victor says Claire is still hiding something from you.”
Grant looked at Claire.
Her face went white.
May you like
Rachel continued.
“He says Sophie and Luke weren’t the only children.”
