Chapter 13 - THE UNCLE
Richard Mercer had been dead for fifteen years.
At least according to the records.
Daniel stared at the photograph.
“That's impossible.”
Rachel shook her head.
“He isn't dead.”
Lily whispered:
“Where is he?”
Rachel didn't know.
But the ledger did.
A series of payments led to a private company in Switzerland.
The company was owned by a man named Richard Hale.
Daniel stared.
“Hale?”
Emily stepped closer.
“That's my adoptive father's family name.”
Daniel looked at her.
“You're saying your adoptive father was connected to my uncle?”
Emily nodded.
“He knew everything.”
The pieces finally came together.
Thomas had been the public face.
Grant had inherited the operation.
Richard Mercer had supplied the original money.
And Samuel Hayes had protected the surviving children.
But there was one question.
Why?
Daniel found the answer in the ledger.
His father had discovered that Richard intended to take control of Mercer Market.
But Daniel's father refused.
So Richard built a secret financial network.
Thomas handled the theft.
Grant handled the records.
Lily's mother discovered the truth.
Daniel's father tried to stop them.
And everyone who knew was eliminated.
Except the children.
Daniel looked at Lily.
“You were the loose end.”
She nodded.
“For nineteen years.”
Daniel's phone rang.
A blocked number.
He answered.
Richard's voice came through.
“Hello, Daniel.”
Daniel froze.
“Where are you?”
“Closer than you think.”
“Why did you do it?”
Richard laughed.
“You still think this was about money?”
Daniel clenched his fist.
“Then what was it about?”
“Power.”
The call ended.
Lily looked at Daniel.
“We need to find him.”
“No.”
She stared.
“Why?”
“Because he wants us to.”
Evelyn nodded.
“He's setting a trap.”
Daniel looked at the ledger.
Then at the photograph.
Then at Lily.
“We don't chase him.”
“What do we do?”
“We make him come to us.”
Daniel called a press conference.
The next morning, every major financial news network reported the same headline:
MERCER EMPIRE TO RELEASE SECRET LEDGER
Richard responded within an hour.
A message appeared on Daniel's phone.
You really want to do this?
Daniel replied:
Yes.
Richard:
Then bring Lily.
Daniel:
Why?
The response came seconds later.
Because she is the reason your father died.
Lily read the message.
Her face went pale.
Daniel took the phone from her.
“No.”
She shook her head.
“I have to go.”
“No.”
“I've been running from this for nineteen years.”
“Lily.”
She looked at him.
“You bought formula for two hungry babies.”
Daniel stared.
“You changed our lives.”
She continued:
“You thought you were saving us.”
A tear rolled down her cheek.
“But you were also saving yourself.”
Daniel didn't understand.
May you like
She smiled sadly.
“Now let me save you.”
