Chapter 12 - THE FAMILY SECRET
Hattie came downstairs slowly.
She no longer looked like the arrogant woman who had dragged a dog chain around my mother's neck.
She looked frightened.
That frightened me more.
"You think Leonard was the villain," she said.
"He is."
"You think Michael betrayed you."
"He did."
"You think your father was innocent."
I stared at her.
"He was."
Hattie shook her head.
"No."
She pointed at the trust.
"Your father helped build the machine."
Rachel stepped forward.
"Explain."
Hattie laughed.
"Daniel Bennett created the original network."
I couldn't breathe.
"He designed the shell companies."
"No."
"He created the structure."
I stared at the trust.
"But why?"
"Because he thought he could control Leonard."
Hattie smiled bitterly.
"He couldn't."
According to Hattie, my father had initially joined Leonard voluntarily.
He believed the aggressive development strategy would make them both wealthy.
But when he discovered how far Leonard was willing to go, he tried to leave.
Leonard refused.
My father began secretly collecting evidence.
That's when the war started.
"So my father wasn't innocent," I whispered.
"He made mistakes."
Hattie looked at me.
"But he tried to fix them."
I looked at the trust.
"Why leave everything to me?"
"Because he knew you were different."
Hattie took a step closer.
"Your father believed you would destroy what he had helped create."
I stared at her.
"You wanted the trust."
"No."
She smiled.
"Leonard wanted it."
"Then why did you attack my mother?"
"Because she had something Leonard needed."
"What?"
Hattie looked toward Vanessa.
"Her blood."
We froze.
"Her DNA?"
Hattie nodded.
"Leonard needed proof that Vanessa was Daniel's daughter."
"Why?"
"Because the trust contains a clause."
Rachel immediately opened the document.
There it was.
All biological descendants of Daniel Bennett must be identified before the inheritance can be activated.
Vanessa looked at me.
"That's why Michael married you."
"Yes."
"He needed to find me."
"Yes."
I turned toward Hattie.
"And you knew?"
"I knew everything."
"You destroyed my family."
"No."
Hattie smiled.
"Your family destroyed itself."
Then she pulled out her phone.
A message appeared.
Leave the estate.
She looked at it.
Her expression changed.
"He's here."
"Who?"
She whispered:
"Leonard."
The mansion doors opened.
Leonard entered with four men.
He looked older than he had through the window.
But his eyes were sharp.
He looked at me.
"Penelope."
I stood.
"Leonard."
He smiled.
"You finally know the truth."
"You killed my father."
"He betrayed me."
"You manipulated Michael."
"He was weak."
"You used Hattie."
"She was useful."
Hattie stepped backward.
"You promised me protection."
Leonard didn't look at her.
"You were never important."
Her face collapsed.
Leonard turned toward me.
"Give me the trust."
"No."
"Then you die before your thirty-second birthday."
Rachel moved closer.
"You won't get away with this."
Leonard smiled.
"Counselor, do you know how many judges owe me favors?"
Rachel said nothing.
Leonard looked at Vanessa.
"And you."
She trembled.
"You were supposed to remain hidden."
Vanessa stared at him.
"I'm not hiding anymore."
Leonard laughed.
Then suddenly—
Sirens filled the street.
His smile vanished.
Federal agents surrounded the mansion.
Leonard looked at me.
"You called them."
I smiled.
"No."
I held up my phone.
"I scheduled the meeting three hours ago."
His face changed.
"And every word you just said was recorded."
For the first time, Leonard looked afraid.
But before agents could enter, he reached into his jacket.
A gun appeared.
May you like
He pointed it at my mother.
"Then we'll finish this differently."
