Chapter 9 - THE EMPIRE BENEATH THE EMPIRE
The Meridian Trust wasn't listed publicly.
It owned warehouses.
Ports.
Rail contracts.
Technology companies.
Land.
And controlling shares in dozens of private corporations.
The estimated value exceeded six billion dollars.
Camille stared at the documents.
“This belonged to my father?”
“No,” Nathan said.
“It belonged to both our fathers.”
Andre looked at Camille.
“And they intended it for us.”
“Not exactly,” Nathan replied.
He pointed to the trust agreement.
“The controlling beneficiary is Camille.”
Andre looked shocked.
“Why her?”
Nathan answered:
“Because neither of them trusted the Callaway family.”
Camille read the document again.
Her father had written one final instruction.
Camille must never control the trust alone.
Below it was a second name.
Andre Callaway.
She looked at her husband.
“We're joint trustees.”
Andre whispered:
“So they planned for us.”
“Yes.”
Then the office lights went out.
A gunshot shattered the window.
Everyone dropped.
Another shot.
Glass exploded across the floor.
Nathan grabbed Andre.
Camille crawled behind the desk.
Security rushed into the room.
Then the lights returned.
On the wall, someone had written in red:
THE TRUST BELONGS TO ME.
Lorraine stared at the message.
Her face turned white.
“I know who did this.”
Andre looked at her.
“Who?”
May you like
She whispered:
“Martin.”
