Chapter 10 - The Trust Clause
Daniel arrived at Blackwood House with two bankers and a forensic accountant.
By noon, the foundation scandal was no longer a suspicion.
It was a map.
Money had moved from children's programs into consulting companies, then through Grant, Dr. Pike, Serena's brother, and finally into an offshore account.
The total was just over six million dollars.
Victor stared at the number.
"She stole from a children's charity."
Daniel's voice was flat. "Yes."
Lily sat across the table holding Ethan, who was sleepy from medication and clinging to her shirt with his good hand.
"Why risk all this for more money?" she asked.
Daniel slid a legal document toward Victor.
"Because six million wasn't enough."
It was a copy of Olivia's family trust.
A clause Victor had read years earlier now seemed written in fire.
If Victor died before Ethan turned five, control of the family voting shares passed to Ethan's legal guardian until he reached adulthood.
If Victor remarried, his spouse would receive temporary guardianship preference unless a court found cause to deny it.
Lily whispered, "Serena needed the marriage."
Daniel nodded.
"But if she couldn't wait, she needed another route."
"Make me look unfit," Victor said.
"Or make you disappear."
Rosa entered carrying a small package that had been delivered without a return address.
Police opened it first.
Inside was Ethan's missing silver photo frame.
And a note.
STOP DIGGING OR THE NEXT FALL WON'T BE AN ACCIDENT.
Victor's face went cold.
Lily instinctively pulled Ethan closer.
Daniel said, "Serena knows we're finding things."
"Good," Victor replied.
Lily looked at him. "Don't turn this into revenge."
"I'm not."
"You look like you are."
Victor took a breath.
"Then tell me what to do."
"Protect Ethan. Give the police everything. And stop thinking money means you control the room."
Victor stared at her, then nodded.
"Okay."
His phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered on speaker.
Serena's voice filled the room.
"Victor."
Nobody moved.
"Where are you?" he asked.
"Close enough."
"Come in. Talk to the police."
She laughed softly. "You always were terrible at threats."
"I'm not threatening you."
"No. Lily is doing that for you now, isn't she?"
Lily's eyes narrowed.
Serena continued.
"Ask your nanny what happened to the envelope Olivia gave her sister."
Victor turned to Lily.
Her face changed.
May you like
Serena heard the silence.
"Oh," she said. "She never told you."
