Chapter 9: The Truth About Arthur Bennett
I confronted my father the next morning.
Not because I doubted him.
Because I needed to understand.
He was sitting outside drinking coffee.
Like it was an ordinary day.
“Dad.””
He looked at my face.
“What happened?””
I placed the flash drive on the table.
His expression changed instantly.
“Where did you get that?””
“Daniel.””
My father closed his eyes.
“Thomas.””
I sat down.
“You knew.””
“Yes.””
The answer shocked me.
“You knew Thomas was behind this?””
“I suspected.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
My father looked older than I had ever seen him.
“Because Thomas was my brother in everything except blood.””
I listened.
“We grew up together. Built our first business together.””
“Then what happened?””
My father looked at his hands.
“The world changed.””
He explained everything.
Thomas wasn’t just a friend.
He was his partner.
The person who helped build Bennett Holdings.
But when success came, Thomas wanted control.
He wanted the company.
He wanted the recognition.
“He believed I stole his future.””
My father whispered.
“But I never did.””
“Why did he hate you?””
My father looked at me.
“Because I refused to become him.””
That answer stayed with me.
Thomas spent decades believing kindness was weakness.
My father spent decades proving him wrong.
Then my phone rang.
The number was unknown.
I answered.
“Hello?””
A voice spoke.
“Michael Bennett.””
I froze.
“Who is this?””
“You already know.””
Thomas.
My grip tightened.
“You ruined my family.””
“No,” he replied calmly.
“Your father did.””
“You used Diane.””
“I used everyone.””
The honesty shocked me.
“Why?””
A pause.
“Because Arthur took the one thing I wanted.””
“What?””
“The company.””
I laughed bitterly.
“He built it.””
Thomas became quiet.
Then said:
“Ask him about the night your mother died.””
My blood ran cold.
“What?””
“Ask Arthur why he really stopped working with me.””
The call ended.
I looked at my father.
He had heard everything.
“What was he talking about?””
My father didn’t answer.
That scared me more than anything.
“Dad.””
He looked away.
“There are things I never told you.””
I felt my heart sink.
“Why?””
“Because I wanted you to remember your mother as she was.””
“What happened?””
My father’s eyes filled with tears.
“The night your mother died…”
He stopped.
Then whispered:
“She was going to expose Thomas.””
I couldn’t move.
“What?””
“She discovered what he was doing.””
“What was he doing?””
My father looked at me.
“Fraud.””
The room felt silent.
“He threatened her.””
My hands shook.
“Did he hurt her?””
My father didn’t answer.
He didn’t need to.
The pain in his eyes answered for him.
Then Claire rushed into the house.
“Michael.””
She looked terrified.
“We have a problem.””
“What?””
She held up her phone.
“Thomas Reed just released a statement.””
I grabbed it.
The headline made my blood run cold.
*BILLIONAIRE ARTHUR BENNETT ACCUSED OF CORPORATE FRAUD AND FAMILY DECEPTION.*
Below it was a video.
A video of my father.
Edited.
Manipulated.
Made to look guilty.
Claire whispered:
“He’s trying to destroy your father before the investigation begins.””
My father stood.
“No.””
I looked at him.
“What?””
He looked toward the door.
“Because he knows something.””
“What?””
My father’s face hardened.
“He knows I have the original evidence.””
Then the doorbell rang.
A police officer stood outside.
“Arthur Bennett?””
My father stepped forward.
“Yes?””
May you like
The officer held out paperwork.
“We have a warrant for your arrest.””
