Chapter 8 - The Two Million Dollar Lie
Nathan’s forensic accountant needed less than forty-eight hours.
The two million dollars had entered the fake Grace Bennett account.
Then it moved through three shell companies.
The final beneficiary was Hale Strategic Holdings.
Victoria’s company.
Nathan placed the report on his dining table.
Grace sat across from him, Lily asleep in her arms.
“So she paid herself?”
Nathan shook his head.
“Worse. She stole money from a Mercer family trust and created records making it look like you accepted a payoff.”
Grace stared at him.
“Why?”
Nathan finally understood part of it.
If Grace ever came forward, Victoria could portray her as a woman who had accepted millions, disappeared, then returned demanding more.
But that still didn’t explain Sarah.
Or the locket.
Or Evelyn’s investigation.
Then Nathan’s attorney found the connection.
Hale Strategic Holdings had received another payment six years earlier.
Five million dollars.
The sender:
CHARLES MERCER FAMILY SETTLEMENT TRUST.
Nathan felt sick.
His father had died six years ago.
“What was the settlement for?”
The attorney slid over a document.
The signature at the bottom belonged to Charles.
The beneficiary line had been redacted.
But one clause remained visible.
Upon acknowledgment of the qualifying Mercer descendant, controlling interest reserved under the 1992 family covenant shall transfer according to bloodline priority.
Nathan read it again.
“Bloodline priority?”
His attorney nodded.
“This isn’t primarily about cash.”
“How much?”
“Potentially thirty-one percent of Mercer Group voting shares.”
Nathan leaned back.
Thirty-one percent could determine control of the company.
And Evelyn had apparently discovered a qualifying descendant.
Grace looked toward Lily.
“You think it’s her?”
“I don’t know.”
Nathan refused to jump to conclusions.
The next morning, they received a certified package.
No return address.
Inside was a letter written by Evelyn.
Nathan recognized her handwriting immediately.
If you are reading this, Harold has probably failed to destroy everything.
Nathan’s hands tightened.
The letter instructed him to bring the silver locket, unopened, to Evelyn’s longtime probate attorney, Rebecca Sloan.
Not Harold.
Nathan called Rebecca.
She answered after one ring.
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
“For how long?”
“Eight months.”
Nathan’s throat tightened.
“What’s inside the locket?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then why does Victoria want it?”
Rebecca paused.
“Because the locket itself is evidence.”
Nathan looked down at the tiny silver object.
Not what was inside.
The locket itself.
May you like
Rebecca’s next words made Grace go still.
“And if Victoria knows Lily has it, your daughter may still be in danger.”
