Chapter 5 - THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAINRichard's appearance changed everything.
Nathan stared at him.
“You're dead.”
Richard smiled.
“Apparently not.”
Daniel struggled against the ropes.
“Don't listen to him.”
Richard looked at Daniel.
“You were always too emotional.”
Nathan stepped forward.
“You killed my father.”
Richard's smile disappeared.
“Your father made a mistake.”
“What mistake?”
“He trusted people.”
Nathan clenched his fists.
“You destroyed Grace's life.”
Richard shrugged.
“She survived.”
“You threatened my daughter.”
“I protected an investment.”
Nathan's eyes hardened.
“She is a child.”
“She is an heir.”
Richard's voice was emotionless.
“That's the only reason she matters.”
Nathan wanted to attack him.
But police officers entered.
Richard immediately raised his hands.
“You can arrest me.”
Nathan frowned.
“Why are you so calm?”
Richard smiled.
“Because you still don't understand.”
He looked toward the doorway.
Victoria stood there.
Richard nodded at her.
“You did well.”
Victoria's face changed.
Grace stepped between Victoria and Lily.
Nathan stared at Victoria.
“You brought him here?”
Victoria shook her head.
“No.”
Richard laughed.
“She didn't.”
Nathan looked confused.
Richard continued.
“Victoria has been trying to stop me.”
Nathan turned toward her.
“What?”
Victoria began crying.
“I tried to tell you.”
Richard laughed.
“You tried to save yourself.”
Victoria didn't deny it.
Nathan suddenly understood.
Victoria had been guilty.
But she wasn't the mastermind.
Richard had manipulated her.
Threatened her.
Used her obsession with Nathan.
And she had helped him.
But now she was afraid of him.
Richard looked at Nathan.
“Your father left a trust.”
“Yes.”
“And you found it.”
Nathan said nothing.
Richard smiled.
“You think that makes you safe.”
Daniel shouted,
“Don't give him anything!”
Richard turned.
“Do you know why your father created the trust?”
Nathan asked.
“To protect Lily.”
“No.”
Richard's smile widened.
“He created it because Lily's mother knew something.”
Grace froze.
“What?”
Richard looked directly at her.
“You were never just Nathan's girlfriend.”
Grace stared.
“You worked for your father's company.”
Nathan looked at Grace.
“What?”
Grace shook her head.
“I didn't.”
Richard laughed.
“Ask her.”
Nathan turned.
“Grace?”
She began crying.
“I worked there briefly.”
“You never told me.”
“Because I was trying to protect you.”
Richard interrupted.
“She discovered the financial records.”
Grace glared at him.
“And I discovered what you were doing.”
Richard's expression hardened.
“You should have kept quiet.”
“You murdered Nathan's father.”
“And you helped him uncover it.”
Nathan stared between them.
Everything was connected.
Grace had discovered the fraud.
Nathan's father had discovered it too.
They had both become targets.
Richard had used Victoria to separate Grace and Nathan.
Then he had staged his own death.
And now he wanted Lily's trust.
Richard leaned closer.
“Give me access.”
Nathan laughed.
“You think I'll help you?”
“You will.”
“Why?”
Richard looked toward Grace.
“Because I have insurance.”
A television screen suddenly turned on.
Grace gasped.
The screen showed Lily.
Alone.
At the guesthouse.
Nathan's blood froze.
“How?”
Richard smiled.
“You brought her there.”
Nathan lunged.
Police restrained him.
Richard whispered,
“Choose carefully.”
Nathan stared at the screen.
Lily was sitting on the couch.
A man stood behind her.
His face was hidden.
Nathan felt terror explode through him.
“Let her go.”
“Access the trust.”
“No.”
Richard nodded.
The man behind Lily lifted a phone.
Nathan heard Lily crying.
“Daddy?”
Nathan's heart shattered.
“Stop!”
Richard smiled.
“Then cooperate.”
Victoria suddenly stepped forward.
“Richard.”
He looked at her.
“Let the child go.”
“You've become sentimental.”
Victoria's eyes hardened.
“I said let her go.”
Richard laughed.
“You think you have power?”
Victoria pulled something from her purse.
A small gun.
Police immediately raised their weapons.
Victoria pointed it at Richard.
“Let Lily go.”
Richard stared at her.
“You wouldn't.”
Victoria's hands trembled.
“I've done terrible things.”
She looked at Nathan.
“But I won't let you hurt that child.”
Richard moved quickly.
He grabbed Daniel and pulled him in front of himself.
“Shoot.”
Victoria froze.
Richard smiled.
“Go ahead.”
Nathan stepped between them.
“Everyone lower your weapons.”
Victoria looked at him.
“I’m sorry.”
Nathan nodded.
“I know.”
Richard's attention shifted.
That was his mistake.
Daniel slammed his head backward into Richard's face.
Richard staggered.
Police tackled him.
Nathan immediately called the guesthouse.
“Get Lily out!”
A voice answered.
“She's safe.”
Nathan stopped.
“What?”
The voice was Grace's.
She was already there.
Holding Lily.
Nathan closed his eyes in relief.
Then he looked at Richard.
Richard was handcuffed.
But he was smiling.
“You still haven't found the real enemy.”
Nathan's face hardened.
“What are you talking about?”
Richard leaned closer.
“Your father's trust isn't the prize.”
Nathan frowned.
“Then what is?”
May you like
Richard whispered,
“The person who inherits it.”
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