Chapter 8: The Woman Who Married Into the Fortune
Richard pointed the gun toward Marcus.
"Put your hands where I can see them.""
Marcus slowly raised his arms.
"Richard, what are you doing?""
Richard smiled without warmth.
"Finishing what your father started.""
Olivia stepped beside him.
Her wedding dress was gone.
She wore a black coat and held a small handbag.
I looked at her.
"Why did you marry him?""
She glanced at Marcus.
"Because I needed access.""
Marcus's expression tightened.
"Did you ever love me?""
For a moment, Olivia said nothing.
Then she laughed.
"Marcus, you have no idea how exhausting it was pretending to care about your mother's opinions, your business meetings, and your little family traditions.""
He looked as though she'd struck him.
"You stood beside me today.""
"I stood beside a billionaire.""
"You promised me forever.""
"I promised you a wedding.""
My stomach turned.
Richard pushed us toward the warehouse.
"Move.""
My father stepped forward.
"Richard, this is over.""
Richard looked at him.
"James Carter. Still alive. I must admit, I didn't expect to see you again.""
My father stared at him.
"You killed Daniel.""
Richard shrugged.
"He made a poor decision.""
"Daniel was a good man.""
"He was an inconvenient man.""
I felt sick.
Richard gestured toward the door.
"Bring the ledger.""
My father refused.
Richard raised the gun.
"Don't make me repeat myself.""
Marcus stepped forward.
"Take me instead.""
Olivia smiled.
"How touching.""
She reached into her handbag and removed a small electronic device.
"Your father wants the ledger, Marcus. And he wants you to sign a few documents.""
"What documents?""
"The transfer of your voting rights.""
Marcus shook his head.
"I'm not signing anything.""
Richard pressed the gun against my father's back.
"Then perhaps we should begin with someone who has less to lose.""
He looked toward me.
I understood.
They wanted the ledger.
They wanted Marcus's signature.
And they were willing to kill anyone who stood in their way.
We entered the warehouse.
Robert turned around.
For a moment, Marcus simply stared at him.
Then he whispered, "Dad.""
Robert smiled.
"My son.""
Marcus stepped forward.
"You let us bury you.""
Robert adjusted his cuffs.
"It was necessary.""
"You let Mom believe you were dead.""
"Your mother was safer believing that.""
"She was nearly killed today!""
Robert's smile disappeared.
"Your mother made a mistake.""
Evelyn lifted her head.
"Don't listen to him, Marcus.""
Robert turned.
"Quiet.""
She looked directly at her son.
"Your father has been stealing from the company for twelve years.""
Robert sighed.
"Still dramatic, Evelyn.""
"You murdered people.""
"I removed problems.""
Tasha looked toward me.
Her eyes filled with tears.
I moved closer to her.
Vanessa noticed.
"Stay where you are.""
I stopped.
Robert approached Marcus.
"Sign the documents. The company returns to its original structure, and everyone walks away.""
Marcus laughed.
"Everyone?""
"Yes.""
"What about Daniel?""
Robert's face hardened.
"Daniel chose the wrong side.""
My father stepped forward.
"You killed him because he discovered the ledger.""
Robert turned toward him.
"James, you should have stayed dead.""
My father looked at me.
Then at Tasha.
"I didn't stay dead because I wanted to.""
Robert laughed.
"Of course you did. You were paid handsomely.""
My mother wasn't there to hear that.
But I was.
And something about the statement sounded wrong.
My father shook his head.
"You know that's not true.""
Robert picked up a folder.
"Then explain the money.""
My father looked confused.
"What money?""
Robert opened the folder and showed him a bank transfer.
It was an account under James Carter's name.
The balance was more than six million dollars.
I stared.
"That's impossible.""
Robert smiled.
"Your father has been receiving payments for years.""
My father looked at the document.
Then he shook his head.
"That's a false account.""
Richard laughed.
"Convenient.""
My father examined the transaction dates.
Then his expression changed.
He looked toward Olivia.
"Who gave you access to my identity?""
Olivia shrugged.
"Someone had to make the books look balanced.""
I stared at her.
She had used my father's identity to conceal stolen money.
Robert placed another document on the table.
"Now, Marcus. Sign.""
Marcus looked at the papers.
Then he looked at Evelyn.
"Mom, what happens if I sign?""
Evelyn answered quietly.
"Your father gets control of everything.""
Robert smiled.
"That's right.""
Marcus picked up the pen.
I felt my heart sink.
"Marcus, don't.""
He looked at me.
Then he signed.
Robert smiled.
"Excellent.""
He reached for the document.
But Marcus held onto it.
"There's one more thing.""
Robert frowned.
"What?""
Marcus pulled a second paper from his jacket.
"The document you wanted me to sign was never legally valid.""
Robert stared.
Marcus continued.
"Because my mother revoked the original trust yesterday. Richard knew that. Olivia knew that. You knew that.""
Robert's expression changed.
Marcus placed the paper on the table.
"This is the actual trust agreement.""
Robert grabbed it.
Then his face went white.
"What is this?""
Evelyn smiled faintly.
"The one I signed last night.""
Robert looked at Richard.
"Explain!""
Richard stepped backward.
For the first time, the attorney looked frightened.
I noticed something.
A tiny red light was blinking on Marcus's watch.
He looked toward me.
And I understood.
He had been recording everything.
Robert noticed the light.
His expression twisted.
"Turn it off.""
Marcus smiled.
"No.""
Robert raised his gun.
Then a loud crash echoed from the loading entrance.
The warehouse doors flew open.
Police officers rushed inside.
"DROP YOUR WEAPONS!""
Vanessa screamed.
Olivia dropped her handbag.
Richard tried to run.
But Paul tackled him before he reached the side exit.
Robert stood frozen.
For one brief second, I thought it was over.
Then he turned toward Tasha.
He grabbed her chair and pulled her backward.
"Nobody moves!""
The officers stopped.
Robert pressed his gun against Tasha's head.
"Let me leave.""
I felt my blood turn cold.
My sister looked directly at me.
May you like
And whispered one word.
"Run.""
