Chapter 6: The Secret Marcus's Father Left Behind
Marcus stood in the kitchen, staring at his mother.
"Fifteen years?""
Eleanor nodded.
"Your father discovered Daniel's real identity before he died.""
Marcus slowly sat down.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because your father asked me to wait until I had proof.""
"Proof of what?""
Eleanor took a deep breath.
"That Daniel had been approaching families with inherited wealth, using romantic relationships and forged financial documents to gain access to their assets.""
Marcus looked at the wedding ring.
"And Victoria?""
"I don't know how much she knew. But I believe Daniel used her.""
Marcus shook his head.
"She was willing to humiliate you in front of two hundred people. I'm not sure I can believe she was innocent.""
Eleanor placed her hands on his shoulders.
"Being hurt doesn't mean we should stop thinking clearly.""
He looked at her.
"You're still defending her?""
"No. I'm refusing to become the kind of person who decides someone's guilt before seeing the evidence.""
Marcus looked away.
Then Eleanor opened a drawer and removed an old photograph.
It showed Marcus's father, William Hayes, standing outside a brick office building.
Beside him was a younger man.
Marcus recognized him immediately.
Daniel.
But the photograph was dated fifteen years earlier.
Marcus stared.
"How did Dad know him?""
"Daniel worked briefly for a financial consulting firm that handled several of your father's investments.""
"What happened?""
"Your father discovered irregular transfers connected to one of Daniel's clients. He reported them to the authorities. Daniel was questioned, but there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute him.""
Marcus looked at the photograph again.
"Then why is he back?""
Eleanor's eyes darkened.
"Because your father left something behind.""
She walked to the study.
Marcus followed.
The room smelled of old books and polished wood. His father's desk remained exactly where it had been for years.
Eleanor opened a locked drawer.
Inside was a small black box.
She placed it on the desk and unlocked it with a key attached to her necklace.
There were three things inside.
A handwritten letter.
A USB drive.
And an old wedding photograph.
Marcus picked up the photograph.
It showed his father and Eleanor standing beneath a flower-covered arch.
His father was smiling.
Eleanor looked radiant.
On the back, in William's handwriting, were the words:
*To Marcus. Never confuse wealth with worth. The right woman will never ask you to become smaller to make her feel bigger.*
Marcus swallowed.
"Mom...""
Eleanor handed him the letter.
"Read it.""
The paper was yellowed at the edges.
Marcus unfolded it.
My dear son,
If you're reading this, there is a possibility that someone has entered our family with intentions that have nothing to do with love.
I hope I am wrong.
But I have learned that some people don't want to build a life with you. They want to inherit the life you have already built.
If that day comes, remember this: your mother is not an obstacle to your happiness. She is one of the reasons you have the freedom to pursue it.
Protect her. But more importantly, protect yourself.
Love, Dad.
Marcus lowered the letter.
His eyes were wet.
"He knew.""
Eleanor nodded.
"He was worried Daniel would return.""
Marcus picked up the USB drive.
"What's on this?""
"Financial records. Correspondence. A recorded meeting.""
"Why didn't you give this to the police?""
"I did. But your father never received the original records. He kept copies because he believed Daniel had someone inside the company.""
Marcus stared at her.
"Someone inside Hayes Holdings?""
"Yes.""
Before he could respond, her phone rang again.
Robert Morgan.
Eleanor answered.
"Robert?""
"We found Margaret.""
Eleanor exhaled.
"Is she safe?""
"She's at a private clinic. She managed to escape when Daniel stopped the car.""
Marcus stepped closer.
"Where is Victoria?""
Robert answered loudly enough for him to hear.
"She's with us. And she has something you need to know.""
Eleanor frowned.
"What?""
"Daniel has been using Marcus's personal information to establish another company.""
Marcus went still.
"What company?""
Robert paused.
"Hayes Meridian.""
Marcus looked at his mother.
"That's not one of ours.""
"I know," Eleanor replied.
Robert continued.
"The company was registered four months ago. It lists Marcus as the beneficial owner, but the registration documents contain a forged authorization.""
Marcus clenched his jaw.
"How much money has gone through it?""
"We're still investigating.""
Eleanor looked toward the black box.
"Then we need to examine your father's records immediately.""
At the clinic, Victoria sat beside her mother.
Margaret's wrist was bandaged.
Her face was pale.
But she was alive.
Victoria held her hand.
"I'm sorry.""
Margaret looked at her daughter.
"For what?""
"For not listening.""
Margaret squeezed her fingers.
"I should have told you sooner.""
Victoria shook her head.
"You tried.""
A nurse entered carrying a glass of water.
"Mrs. Collins, the doctor wants you to rest.""
Margaret nodded.
After the nurse left, Victoria leaned closer.
"Mom, did you know Daniel was engaged to Claire?""
"Yes.""
"Did you know he was using me?""
Margaret closed her eyes.
"I suspected it.""
Victoria's voice cracked.
"Why didn't you stop me?""
"I tried, sweetheart.""
"You could have told me everything.""
"I was afraid.""
"Of Daniel?""
Margaret nodded.
"After I discovered the forged documents, he told me he could make sure you lost everything. Your inheritance. Your reputation. Your career.""
Victoria covered her face.
"I thought he was helping me.""
"I know.""
Margaret reached for her daughter's cheek.
"Do you remember what I told you about Marcus's mother?""
Victoria looked down.
Margaret sighed.
"I told you Eleanor was a good woman. I told you she had welcomed you from the beginning.""
Victoria began crying harder.
"I was horrible to her.""
"Yes, you were.""
The honesty made Victoria look up.
Margaret continued.
"Money can be earned again. Weddings can be canceled. Relationships can sometimes be repaired. But when you deliberately humiliate someone who has done nothing but love your family, you cannot expect them to forget it.""
Victoria nodded.
"I know.""
"Do you?""
Victoria looked at her.
For once, she had no defense.
An hour later, Marcus and Eleanor arrived at the clinic.
Victoria stood immediately.
Marcus stopped when he saw her.
Neither spoke.
Finally, Victoria whispered, "Marcus.""
He looked at her.
"Is your mother all right?""
"She's resting.""
Victoria nodded.
"Thank you for asking.""
Marcus glanced at her injured mother.
"How did she escape?""
Margaret answered weakly.
"Daniel stopped at a gas station. He thought I was too frightened to do anything.""
She paused.
"I pulled the emergency release and ran into the store. The cashier called the police.""
Marcus nodded.
"I'm glad you're safe.""
Victoria took a step toward him.
"Marcus, I need to tell you something.""
He didn't move.
"I didn't know what Daniel was doing. I swear.""
Marcus's expression remained guarded.
"Did you know he wanted you to marry me?""
Victoria looked down.
"My mother suspected it. I didn't.""
"Did you sign anything?""
Victoria swallowed.
"Yes. Some documents. He told me they were financial arrangements.""
Marcus's jaw tightened.
"Then we need to see them.""
"I'll give you everything.""
He looked at her for several seconds.
"That doesn't mean we're getting back together.""
Victoria nodded.
"I understand.""
Eleanor stepped forward.
"Marcus, we should leave. The attorney is waiting.""
But as they turned, Victoria suddenly spoke.
"Mrs. Hayes?""
Eleanor stopped.
Victoria's voice trembled.
"I'm sorry about the wedding.""
Eleanor looked at her.
"Why?""
Victoria's eyes filled.
"Because I hurt you.""
Eleanor didn't immediately answer.
Then she said, "I appreciate you saying that. But an apology is only the beginning. What matters is what you do when nobody is watching.""
Victoria lowered her head.
"I know.""
Marcus followed his mother toward the exit.
Just before they reached the hallway, Robert Morgan appeared.
He was holding his phone.
"Eleanor. Marcus. We have a development.""
Eleanor turned.
"What is it?""
Robert looked at Marcus.
"The company Daniel established using your identity has just attempted to transfer a substantial amount of money.""
Marcus frowned.
"Where?""
Robert showed him the screen.
The destination account belonged to an offshore financial institution.
But the name attached to the account was familiar.
Marcus stared.
It belonged to his father's former business partner.
A man who had attended the funeral fifteen years earlier.
A man Eleanor had believed was dead.
Marcus slowly raised his eyes.
"That's impossible.""
Eleanor looked at the name.
Her face lost all color.
Then she whispered:
"William told me he died.""
Robert shook his head.
"He didn't.""
He turned the phone around.
A recent photograph appeared.
An older man stood outside a private airport terminal.
His silver hair was neatly combed.
His face was unmistakable.
*Arthur Whitmore.*
Marcus's father's closest friend.
And the man who had held Marcus's hand at his father's funeral.
Beneath the photograph was a message sent to Daniel Bennett just twenty minutes earlier.
*The boy has the USB drive. Get it before Eleanor opens the final recording.*
Marcus looked at his mother.
"What final recording?""
Eleanor slowly closed her eyes.
May you like
Then she said something that changed everything.
"Your father recorded the man who ordered his death.""
