Chapter 8 - The Money
Victor Lang had kept records.
That saved him.
And destroyed Margaret.
For seven years, small amounts had disappeared from Carter Foundation accounts.
Never enough at once to cause panic.
$48,000.
$62,000.
$79,500.
Money moved through consulting contracts.
Then into Meriton.
Then into accounts Margaret controlled.
Total:
$3.8 million.
Daniel stared at the number.
“The foundation funds scholarships.”
Victor lowered his eyes.
“I know.”
“Housing grants.”
“I know.”
“You stole from children.”
“Margaret told me the money was being reimbursed.”
“Did you believe her?”
Victor didn’t answer.
That was answer enough.
Henry discovered the irregularities two years before his death.
That was why he created the descendant trust.
Not to punish Margaret.
To prevent her from gaining permanent control of Carter Global after his death.
Noah’s birth solved Henry’s succession problem.
The controlling stake would pass into trust for his grandson.
Daniel would manage it until Noah was old enough.
Margaret would never control the vote.
Unless she could prove Noah wasn’t Daniel’s biological child.
Suddenly every cruel detail made sense.
The fake emails.
The counterfeit DNA report.
The intercepted certified mail.
The pressure on Claire.
The attack on Noah.
Daniel sat quietly.
Samuel asked:
“Are you okay?”
“No.”
Daniel looked at Noah sleeping in his stroller.
“But I finally understand.”
“What?”
“My mother never believed Noah wasn’t mine.”
Samuel nodded slowly.
“She needed everyone else to believe it.”
Daniel’s phone rang.
His mother’s attorney.
Daniel answered.
“Mr. Carter, Mrs. Carter is prepared to resolve all outstanding family disputes.”
Daniel almost smiled.
“How generous.”
“She’ll withdraw her trust challenge.”
“In exchange for?”
“Confidentiality.”
There it was.
“And?”
“Your agreement not to pursue historical foundation transactions.”
Daniel laughed.
The attorney went silent.
“No.”
“Mr. Carter—”
“You tell Margaret something.”
Daniel’s voice became cold.
“She spent six months calling my son a bastard to cover up millions she stole.”
He looked through the glass wall at Samuel.
“She doesn’t get confidentiality.”
He ended the call.
An hour later, Margaret tried a different strategy.
A statement appeared online.
It accused Daniel of manufacturing allegations to seize family control.
May you like
Margaret was no longer hiding.
She was going to war.
