Chapter 13 — The Truth Behind the Inheritance
The note stayed on Vivienne’s desk all night.
THE CHILD BELONGS TO US.
She had read it hundreds of times.
Every time, the same anger rose inside her.
They had taken her marriage.
They had taken her trust.
They had tried to take her freedom.
But they would not take her baby.
Not now.
Not ever.
The next morning, Vivienne met with a private investigator recommended by Marcus.
His name was Daniel Reeves.
A former federal investigator known for uncovering corporate fraud.
He placed several files on the table.
“I reviewed the flash drive.”
Vivienne looked at him.
“And?”
Daniel took a deep breath.
“Your father knew this would happen.”
Natalie frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“Richard Carter discovered the fraud years before his death.”
Daniel opened a document.
“He knew Eleanor was moving money through fake companies.”
Another file.
“He knew Ethan was being pressured.”
Vivienne looked down.
“Then why didn’t he stop them?”
Daniel paused.
“Because he was trying to find the person above them.”
The room became quiet.
“Above them?”
Daniel nodded.
“The Carter family was not acting alone.”
He placed another document forward.
A list of names.
Executives.
Investors.
Powerful people.
At the top was one name.
Victor Hale.
Marcus’s father.
Natalie looked shocked.
“Marcus’s father?”
Marcus lowered his head.
“I didn’t know.”
Daniel continued.
“Victor Hale created the network that controlled several companies, including Carter Holdings.”
Vivienne looked confused.
“But why my father?”
“Because your father refused to join them.”
Daniel pointed at the documents.
“Richard wanted to expose everything.”
Vivienne whispered:
“So they killed him.”
Daniel did not answer.
He didn’t need to.
The silence confirmed it.
That afternoon, Vivienne received another message.
This time from Ethan.
She almost ignored it.
Almost.
But curiosity won.
The message contained only one location.
An old warehouse outside the city.
May you like
And one sentence:
I FOUND THE PERSON WHO STARTED THIS.
