Chapter 10 - What Victoria Had Been Protecting
Evelyn’s affidavit changed everything.
Years earlier, Victoria had learned about the 1992 covenant while helping Nathan reorganize family foundation records.
At the time, Sarah’s bloodline appeared extinct.
That made Nathan the uncontested beneficiary of the controlling trust.
And as Nathan’s future wife, Victoria expected to share the power surrounding it.
Then Evelyn found Emily Bennett’s birth certificate.
Sarah had a daughter.
Emily later had Grace.
And Grace was pregnant with Nathan’s child.
The moment Lily was born, the old covenant became dangerous to Victoria.
Not because Lily would take Nathan’s personal fortune.
Because Lily’s existence triggered a review of the trust structure Victoria and Harold had quietly been exploiting.
Millions had already been diverted through consulting agreements.
If the trust underwent formal bloodline review, auditors would see everything.
Grace looked sick.
“So this was never because she was jealous of me.”
Nathan shook his head.
“Jealousy was useful. Money was the motive.”
Rebecca corrected him.
“Money and control.”
Nathan read another attachment.
Evelyn had discovered approximately $18.6 million in suspicious transfers.
Harold had facilitated them.
Companies linked to Victoria had received a substantial portion.
Nathan’s anger became strangely calm.
That frightened Grace.
“What are you thinking?”
“That I’ve spent three years planning a life with someone who was stealing from my family while helping hide my daughter.”
Then Rebecca found the last recorded statement.
An audio file.
Evelyn’s voice filled the room.
“Nathan, if you hear this, I failed to tell you myself.”
Nathan closed his eyes.
His grandmother continued.
She apologized for not recognizing Sarah publicly decades earlier.
She explained that her guilt had made her determined not to let another Mercer child be erased.
Then her voice changed.
“Do not assume my death was caused by Victoria. I have no proof of that. Follow evidence, not anger.”
Nathan opened his eyes.
Even from the grave, Evelyn was stopping him from making reckless accusations.
The recording ended with one instruction:
Protect the child. Protect Grace. Then audit everything.
Nathan did exactly that.
He contacted independent counsel, trust administrators, and forensic accountants.
No dramatic confrontation.
No warning to Victoria.
But Victoria learned anyway.
That night, Nathan received a photograph on his phone.
Grace leaving Rebecca’s office.
Lily in her arms.
Taken from across the street.
Underneath were six words.
GIVE ME THE LOCKET. MIDNIGHT. ALONE.
Nathan immediately called Grace.
No answer.
He called again.
Nothing.
Then his mansion security system alerted him.
Rear glass door opened.
Nathan looked at the live feed.
May you like
Grace was inside.
And someone was standing behind her.
