Chapter 10 - THE DEAD MAN'S SIGNATURE
They found an old television in the mansion basement.
The tape played.
Claire Hart appeared on screen.
Evelyn stopped breathing.
Her mother looked younger.
Tired.
Afraid.
“My darling Evelyn,” Claire said.
Evelyn covered her mouth.
“If you are watching this, I am gone.”
Tears filled her eyes.
Claire continued.
“Vivian has discovered the trust.”
The screen flickered.
“She knows that Nathaniel intended to give control of the company to a foundation protecting the employees and their families.”
Claire paused.
“But there is a second clause.”
Evelyn leaned forward.
“The controlling beneficiary must be a descendant of both the Hart and Whitmore families.”
Evelyn looked at Grant.
Their daughter was both.
Claire continued.
“That is why Vivian will try to control your child.”
The video showed Claire placing documents into a box.
“I did not trust Grant's father. I did not trust Vivian. I trusted only Nathaniel.”
Then Claire looked directly into the camera.
“Nathaniel is alive.”
Evelyn gasped.
The video continued.
“He is being held in a private facility. If anything happens to me, find him.”
The screen went black.
Grant stared at the television.
“My mother lied to me my entire life.”
Evelyn looked at him.
“You believed her.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Grant swallowed.
“Because believing her was easier than admitting she was cruel.”
The honesty shocked Evelyn.
Then the safe made a clicking sound.
A hidden compartment opened.
Inside was a document.
Nathaniel's signature.
The original trust.
It confirmed everything.
The Whitmore empire was not Vivian's.
It belonged to a foundation.
And the controlling beneficiary was Evelyn's daughter.
But there was a problem.
At the bottom of the document was a second signature.
Grant's father.
Evelyn read the name.
Then looked at Marcus.
“What does this mean?”
Marcus's face changed.
“It means your father-in-law was involved in the trust.”
“And my mother’s death.”
“Yes.”
The mansion lights suddenly turned on.
Vivian stood at the top of the stairs.
Applauding.
“Very good.”
Evelyn turned.
Vivian smiled.
“You finally found it.”
Grant stepped forward.
“Where is my father?”
Vivian looked at him.
“Dead.”
“You lied.”
“I protected you.”
“You destroyed everyone.”
Vivian's smile disappeared.
“No.”
She looked at Evelyn.
“Your mother destroyed herself.”
May you like
Then Vivian pulled out a gun.
“Now give me the document.”
