Chapter 8 - ELENA'S LAST CONFESSION
They returned to the house.
Elena finally told Arthur everything.
Years ago, before their marriage, she had worked for a financial firm that secretly moved money for wealthy clients.
She left when she discovered children were being used as legal shields for fraudulent trusts.
Victor had been her supervisor.
Richard had been one of his clients.
Arthur's father discovered the scheme and tried to expose it.
"He gave me a chance to disappear," Elena said.
"But you came back."
"Because I loved you."
Arthur shook his head.
"Then why did you steal the trust?"
"Because Victor told me the company would collapse unless I transferred enough money to keep it alive."
"And you believed him?"
"I was terrified."
Daniel looked at the flash drive.
"What is on it?"
Elena handed it over.
"Names."
Daniel opened the files.
Dozens of people appeared.
Bankers.
Attorneys.
Executives.
But one name shocked everyone.
Arthur Vance.
Arthur stared.
"Why am I listed?"
Elena whispered.
"Because someone created transactions in your name."
Daniel quickly checked the records.
"They forged his signature."
Arthur's anger returned.
"Who had access?"
Maria suddenly spoke.
"Mrs. Vance's office."
Everyone turned.
Maria explained that she had once been ordered to deliver Elena's files to a private accountant.
The accountant had been Richard's employee.
Daniel searched the flash drive.
There it was.
A recording.
Richard's voice.
"Once Arthur is declared incompetent, the trust becomes vulnerable."
Another voice answered.
"And Elena?"
"She'll take the blame."
Arthur listened in silence.
Then another recording began.
A woman's voice.
Arthur recognized it.
His mother.
She had been dead for years.
The recording had been made before her death.
"I know what Richard is doing," she said. "If Arthur ever discovers the truth, protect my grandson."
Arthur covered his mouth.
His mother had known.
She had tried to warn him.
Then the recording revealed something else.
"Do not trust the person who calls himself Daniel Mercer."
Arthur slowly turned.
Daniel stood frozen.
The room became silent.
Arthur's hand moved toward his phone.
Daniel raised both hands.
"Arthur, listen."
"You knew my mother?"
"Yes."
"You were involved?"
"No."
"Then why did she warn me about you?"
Daniel's face was pale.
"Because she was trying to protect you from a man who used my name."
Arthur stared.
"Who?"
Daniel whispered:
"Richard's real partner."
Before he could continue, the nursery monitor suddenly crackled.
A voice came through.
"You should have stopped digging."
May you like
Then the screen went black.
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