Chapter 6 - THE BETRAYALArthur placed the photograph on the table.
Elena stared at it.
“I haven't seen him in years.”
“Then explain this.”
“I can't.”
Sophie looked at the photograph.
“That's Richard.”
Arthur nodded.
“Your guardian.”
Sophie shook her head.
“No.”
Arthur frowned.
“What?”
“That's not the man who raised me.”
Silence.
Arthur looked again.
The man in the photograph was indeed different.
Similar face.
Same surname.
But not the same person.
Sophie whispered:
“Richard had a brother.”
Arthur felt a chill.
“What was his name?”
“Thomas.”
Maria suddenly dropped the documents in her hands.
Arthur noticed.
“You know him?”
Maria shook her head.
“No.”
Arthur stared.
Maria finally whispered:
“My father worked for Thomas.”
Arthur sat down.
“How many people are connected to this family?”
“Too many.”
Maria explained that Thomas had managed private accounts for several wealthy families.
He specialized in moving money without attracting attention.
Arthur immediately understood.
“The trust transfers.”
Maria nodded.
“Could have been done through him.”
Arthur looked at Elena.
“Then you may have been framed.”
Elena began crying.
“I told you.”
Arthur was silent.
For the first time, he believed her.
But there was still the matter of the guardianship petition.
Someone wanted control of Daniel.
Someone wanted access to the trust.
Someone was willing to destroy Arthur's marriage to get it.
Arthur called his attorney.
“Freeze every trust account.”
“Even Daniel's?”
“Especially Daniel's.”
“We need court approval.”
“Get it.”
Arthur turned toward Sophie.
“Stay with Maria.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't know who I can trust.”
Sophie nodded.
That night, Arthur confronted Elena.
“I owe you an apology.”
She looked at him.
“For what?”
“For believing the worst without knowing the truth.”
Elena cried.
“You had every reason.”
“No.”
Arthur shook his head.
“I had questions.”
He took her hand.
“I should have asked.”
Elena squeezed his fingers.
Then the front door opened.
A security guard rushed in.
“Mr. Vance!”
“What?”
“We found a vehicle outside.”
“Whose?”
“Thomas Reed.”
Arthur's expression changed.
“Bring him in.”
Thomas entered.
He looked nervous.
Arthur recognized him immediately.
The accountant.
The man who had handled parts of the family finances.
Arthur closed the door.
“Why were you outside my house?”
Thomas swallowed.
“I was trying to warn you.”
“About what?”
“Margaret.”
Arthur frowned.
“Who is Margaret?”
Thomas looked at Elena.
“Your wife's mother.”
Elena froze.
“My mother?”
Thomas nodded.
“She isn't dead.”
Elena stumbled backward.
“That isn't possible.”
Thomas placed a photograph on the table.
It showed an older woman.
Elena recognized her immediately.
Arthur looked at his wife.
“Your mother is alive.”
Elena's eyes filled with tears.
“Why would she hide?”
Thomas answered:
“Because she knows who is behind the trust.”
“Who?”
Thomas looked toward Daniel's bedroom.
Then whispered:
“Someone in this house.”
Arthur's expression hardened.
“Who?”
Thomas didn't answer.
A loud crash came from upstairs.
Arthur ran.
Daniel was standing in the hallway.
Maria was beside him.
And the bedroom door was wide open.
On Daniel's pillow was another message.
YOU TRUSTED THE WRONG WOMAN.
Arthur turned toward everyone.
Elena.
Maria.
Sophie.
Thomas.
May you like
Someone in the house was betraying them.
And Arthur suddenly realized the message might not be talking about Elena.
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