Chapter 9 - THE MONEY THAT KILLED THEM
My mother disappeared that night.
By sunrise, her phone was disconnected.
Her house was empty.
Her car was gone.
And the bank accounts connected to her name had been drained.
All of them.
Jonathan looked at the documents.
“She knew this was coming.”
Alexander nodded.
“She planned an escape.”
I stared at the empty bedroom.
“She was afraid.”
“Of your father?”
“No.”
I looked at Alexander.
“Of us finding out.”
We found her at an airport hotel.
She didn't run.
She was sitting beside the window with a suitcase at her feet.
When I entered, she looked at me.
“You found me.”
“Yes.”
She nodded.
“I knew you would.”
“Where's the money?”
She closed her eyes.
“Gone.”
“How much?”
“Three hundred and eighty million.”
I felt numb.
“You stole it?”
“No.”
“Then who did?”
She looked at Alexander.
“Your father's lawyer.”
Alexander frowned.
“Daniel Mercer.”
She nodded.
“Daniel moved the money six years ago.”
“Why?”
“Because your father planned to disappear.”
I stared.
“Then why blame Victor?”
“Because Victor discovered the accounts.”
“And Jonathan?”
“Jonathan discovered Daniel.”
Everything connected.
Daniel had been the hidden architect.
My father had stolen.
Victor discovered it.
Jonathan discovered Daniel.
My mother knew.
And Alexander had been manipulated into believing his brother was dead.
“Where is Daniel now?”
My mother looked frightened.
“Close.”
“How close?”
She whispered:
“Your wedding.”
I froze.
“What?”
“He was there.”
My heart stopped.
“The man recording the ceremony?”
She nodded.
“He wanted everyone watching.”
“Why?”
“Because he needed the world to believe you married Alexander voluntarily.”
I stared at her.
“Why would that matter?”
“Because the trust only transfers when you marry a Blackwell.”
I couldn't breathe.
“What trust?”
“The Blackwell family trust.”
I looked at Alexander.
He understood first.
“My father's estate.”
My mother nodded.
“Victor created a clause.”
Alexander whispered:
“If a Blackwell marries Claire Bennett, control of the trust transfers.”
“Yes.”
My mother looked at me.
“And now you're married.”
The room went silent.
I suddenly understood the wedding.
The boycott.
The video.
The ten-second clip.
The public attention.
Daniel hadn't wanted to stop the wedding.
He wanted it completed.
Because my marriage to Alexander had triggered the trust.
I looked at my wedding ring.
“What happens now?”
My mother whispered:
“Daniel controls the trust.”
“How?”
“Because your marriage activated it.”
Alexander stood.
“Then we take it back.”
My mother shook her head.
“You can't.”
“Why?”
“Because the trustee is dead.”
“Who?”
She looked at me.
“Your father.”
I felt cold.
“And the replacement trustee?”
She whispered:
“Daniel.”
My phone buzzed.
A message appeared.
Unknown number.
CONGRATULATIONS, MRS. BLACKWELL.
Then:
YOUR MARRIAGE MADE ME THE RICHEST MAN IN AMERICA.
And finally:
May you like
NOW I NEED YOU DEAD.
:::
