Chapter 17 - The Secret Their Father Left Behind
Logan’s father had died seven months before Elena disappeared.
Charles Mercer had supposedly suffered a heart attack.
Until now, nobody had questioned it.
Margaret sat down heavily.
“I never saw that letter.”
Logan looked at her.
“Did Dad know about Adrian?”
“He suspected financial misconduct.”
“What kind?”
Margaret hesitated.
“Trust manipulation.”
“Shell companies.”
“Payments to board members.”
Adrian had not simply wanted temporary control.
He had been preparing to seize Mercer Holdings for years.
Charles discovered it.
Elena discovered part of it while helping organize a charitable foundation audit.
Vanessa had worked in that foundation.
That was how she entered the family’s inner circle.
Marina remembered suddenly.
A desk.
Late at night.
Spreadsheets.
Vanessa standing in the doorway.
“You shouldn’t be looking at that.”
The memory sharpened.
Elena copying files.
Vanessa threatening her.
Then Adrian arriving.
Calm.
Smiling.
Telling Elena there must be a misunderstanding.
Marina gripped the table.
“I found proof.”
Logan leaned closer.
“Of what?”
“Adrian was stealing from the family trust.”
“How much?”
“I don’t know.”
Margaret answered.
“Forty-two million dollars.”
The room went silent.
Vanessa had wanted Logan.
Adrian wanted control.
Harrison wanted money.
Crane wanted protection.
Their motives overlapped until Elena became the obstacle all of them needed removed.
Rachel obtained an arrest warrant for Adrian.
His apartment was empty.
His passport remained inside.
His car was found near the Hudson River.
No Adrian.
Then Logan received a video call.
Adrian’s face appeared.
He looked exhausted.
Behind him was an unfamiliar industrial building.
“Before you say anything, listen.”
Logan activated recording.
“You lied to me for a year.”
“I know.”
“You let me believe Elena was dead.”
“I know.”
“You forged documents.”
“Yes.”
Logan’s jaw tightened.
“Where are you?”
“Somewhere Vanessa doesn’t know.”
“She’s in custody.”
Adrian shook his head.
“You still think Vanessa was the person running this?”
Logan froze.
“Don’t.”
“She wasn’t.”
“Don’t try to save yourself.”
“I’m not.”
Adrian moved closer to the camera.
“Dad discovered who was stealing from the trust.”
“It wasn’t me at first.”
Logan stared.
“What does that mean?”
“I joined later.”
“Who started it?”
Adrian looked terrified.
Before he could answer, someone moved behind him.
A shadow.
Adrian turned.
The connection shook.
A loud crash sounded.
Then the screen went black.
The last thing Logan heard was Adrian shouting one name.
“Margaret!”
May you like
Everyone turned toward Logan’s mother.
She had disappeared from the ballroom.
