Chapter 9 - THE HIDDEN VAULT
We moved to a secure property outside the city.
Clara barely spoke.
She sat beside the fireplace with a blanket around her shoulders.
I sat across from her.
“I should have protected you.”
She looked at me.
“You did.”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“I protected the company.”
Then I moved closer.
“I should have protected you.”
She reached for my hand.
“You came home.”
“That isn't enough.”
“It was enough to save me.”
Those words broke something inside me.
I kissed her forehead.
Then Marcus entered.
“We found the vault.”
I stood.
“What vault?”
“The one your father mentioned.”
We followed him into a hidden room beneath the property.
There was an old steel door.
My father had built it decades earlier.
Inside were boxes.
Photographs.
Documents.
And a letter addressed to Clara.
She opened it.
“My dear Clara…”
Her eyes filled with tears.
The letter explained everything.
My father had trusted her because she was the only person who loved me before I became wealthy.
He had feared that my family would eventually destroy what I built.
So he created the trust.
But he had also left one final condition.
Clara had to remain married to me for the trust to remain valid.
Clara looked at me.
“What happens if we divorce?”
“The trust dissolves.”
I stared at the letter.
Then understood.
Margaret's entire plan.
Destroy our marriage.
Make Clara feel unwanted.
Convince me she was weak.
Then force a divorce.
She didn't need to steal the trust.
She only needed to break us.
Clara whispered:
“She wanted us to turn against each other.”
I nodded.
“But she made one mistake.”
“What?”
“She underestimated you.”
Clara smiled faintly.
Then Marcus interrupted.
“Sir.”
“What?”
“We found Margaret's location.”
“Where?”
He looked at the screen.
“Your company's headquarters.”
My blood ran cold.
“She isn't after the trust anymore.”
May you like
Marcus nodded.
“She is after the company.”
