Chapter 2 - THE ACCOUNTThe next morning, Arthur took Daniel to school personally.
He didn't tell the boy why.
He simply kissed his forehead and watched him walk through the gates.
Maria stood beside him.
“You're worried.”
Arthur nodded.
“Someone knew about Daniel's trust.”
“Could it be Elena?”
Arthur looked at her.
“I don't know anymore.”
Maria was quiet.
Arthur continued.
“But I know she was hiding something.”
At the bank, Arthur met with the trust manager, Jonathan Reed.
Jonathan had managed the Vance family's accounts for more than a decade.
Arthur placed the documents on the table.
“I need a complete history of Daniel's trust.”
Jonathan looked at the papers.
“These transfers aren't normal.”
“Were they authorized?”
He checked the records.
“No.”
Arthur leaned forward.
“Then how did the money leave?”
Jonathan stared at the computer.
“Someone used an emergency authorization.”
“Who?”
Jonathan hesitated.
“Your wife.”
Arthur's jaw tightened.
“That's impossible.”
“The system shows her authorization code.”
“Could the code have been stolen?”
“Yes.”
“Has that happened before?”
Jonathan looked uncomfortable.
“Once.”
“When?”
“Six months ago.”
Arthur's eyes narrowed.
“Exactly when Elena said someone started watching Daniel.”
Jonathan nodded.
Arthur asked:
“Where did the money go?”
“Vantage Holdings.”
Arthur looked at him.
“Who owns it?”
Jonathan shook his head.
“The company is privately structured.”
“Find out.”
“I'll need time.”
“You have an hour.”
Jonathan sighed.
“Mr. Vance…”
“An hour.”
Arthur left.
In the parking lot, Maria was waiting.
“What did he say?”
Arthur told her.
Maria looked troubled.
“Then Elena may have been telling the truth.”
“About what?”
“The money.”
Arthur stared at her.
“You think she moved it to protect Daniel?”
“I think someone else may have been using her identity.”
Arthur didn't answer.
His phone rang.
Elena.
He answered.
“Where are you?”
“At home.”
“Don't go anywhere.”
“Arthur, what happened?”
“I found the account.”
Silence.
Then Elena whispered:
“You weren't supposed to.”
“What does that mean?”
“I knew you'd eventually discover it.”
“Then tell me the truth.”
“I will.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
Arthur frowned.
“Why tonight?”
“Because someone is coming.”
The call ended.
Arthur immediately turned toward Maria.
“What was that?”
“I don't know.”
They returned to the estate.
Elena was waiting in the library.
She looked exhausted.
Arthur closed the door.
“Talk.”
Elena took a deep breath.
“My father had a second family.”
Arthur frowned.
“What?”
“A family no one knew about.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because one of them is connected to Daniel's trust.”
Arthur stared.
“Who?”
“My half-brother.”
“What is his name?”
“Victor.”
Arthur waited.
“Victor what?”
“Victor Hale.”
Maria suddenly went pale.
Arthur noticed.
“You know that name?”
Maria shook her head.
“No.”
Arthur studied her.
Maria looked away.
Elena continued.
“Victor disappeared years ago.”
“What did he do?”
“He tried to take control of my father's company.”
“And?”
“He failed.”
“Where is he now?”
“No one knows.”
Arthur looked at the bank documents.
“Vantage Holdings.”
Elena nodded.
“Victor created it.”
Arthur felt a chill.
“So Victor has been taking money from Daniel's trust?”
“No.”
Elena shook her head.
“He's been trying to stop someone else from taking it.”
Arthur stared.
“Who?”
Elena whispered:
“I don't know.”
Suddenly, the lights went out.
Daniel screamed upstairs.
Arthur ran.
Maria followed.
The security system was completely dead.
Arthur reached Daniel's room.
The window was open.
The bed was empty.
“Daniel!”
Elena came running behind him.
“No!”
Arthur searched the room.
Then he noticed the closet door.
It was slightly open.
He pulled it back.
Daniel was hiding inside.
Arthur dropped to his knees.
“Buddy!”
Daniel threw his arms around him.
“I heard someone.”
“Who?”
“A man.”
Arthur froze.
“What did he look like?”
Daniel shook his head.
“He was wearing a black coat.”
“Did he come inside?”
Daniel nodded.
“He said he knew Daddy.”
Arthur looked at Elena.
“What did he say?”
Daniel whispered:
“He said… ‘Your father doesn't know who he really is.’”
Arthur's face went pale.
Elena looked terrified.
Maria stepped backward.
Arthur noticed.
“Maria?”
She didn't answer.
“Why do you look like that?”
Maria whispered:
“Because I know what he means.”
Arthur stared at her.
“What?”
Maria looked at him.
“Mr. Vance…”
She took a breath.
“Your birth records may have been changed.”
The room went silent.
Arthur couldn't speak.
May you like
His entire identity had just become a question.
And someone knew the answer.
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