Chapter 8: The Family Reunion
At 11:43 p.m., I stood outside the lake house.
Rain hammered the windshield.
The trees moved violently in the wind, and the old wooden dock creaked against the dark water.
I had the original trust documents inside my jacket.
Detective Morgan and six officers were positioned around the property.
But Vanessa had been clear.
Come alone.
I stepped out of the car and walked toward the front entrance.
A small camera above the door blinked red.
The lock clicked.
The door opened.
“Come in, Marcus,” my father called.
I entered.
The living room was brightly lit.
My father sat beside the fireplace, holding a glass of whiskey.
He looked comfortable.
As if I had simply come home for dinner.
Vanessa stood near the staircase.
She wore a black dress and held a phone in her hand.
“Where are my daughters?””
Vanessa smiled.
“Straight to business. You really are your father's son.””
“Where are they?””
“Upstairs.””
“Bring them down.””
My father raised his glass.
“Sit down first.””
I remained standing.
He sighed.
“Still stubborn.””
“Still a liar.””
His smile disappeared.
“You should be careful how you speak to me.””
I placed the trust documents on the table.
“You wanted these.””
He glanced at the folder.
“Very good.””
“Now release my family.””
Vanessa laughed.
“Your family?””
She walked closer.
“You have no idea what that word means.””
I looked at her.
“You were supposed to marry me.””
“I was supposed to secure the inheritance.””
“Was any of it real?””
She shrugged.
“I liked you well enough.””
“Eleven months.””
“An expensive eleven months.””
My father laughed.
I stared at him.
“Why did you choose Vanessa?””
He leaned back.
“Because she understood the plan.””
“What plan?””
“The company needed a stable succession. Jonathan was always the better businessman, but you were the public face. Your father needed both sons working together.””
I shook my head.
“You forged my signature.””
“Jonathan handled the paperwork.””
“You kidnapped Elena.””
My father took another sip.
“Your wife became difficult.””
“She discovered the theft.””
“She discovered information she wasn't entitled to see.””
I stepped closer.
“She was pregnant.””
Vanessa looked away.
My father noticed.
“Ah. You found out about Lily.””
I clenched my fists.
“You told me she died.””
“It was necessary.””
“She was my daughter!””
“And now she's alive. Isn't that wonderful?””
I wanted to hit him.
I wanted to destroy everything around me.
But I remembered Ava's face on the video call.
I needed them alive.
“Why did you fake your death?””
My father put down his glass.
“Because Elena found evidence linking me to the foundation. If I remained publicly involved, the investigation would eventually reach me.””
“So you disappeared.””
“I became invisible.””
“And Jonathan?””
“He handled the medical arrangements. Vanessa handled the children. I handled the money.””
I looked toward Vanessa.
“Why did you raise Lily?””
She crossed her arms.
“Because Elena couldn't be trusted with her.””
“You stole a newborn baby.””
“I gave her a home.””
“You told her I didn't want her.””
Vanessa shrugged.
“She needed someone to love her.””
I stepped toward her.
“You could have let me know she was alive.””
“And then what? You would have chosen Elena. You always did.””
There it was.
The real reason.
Jealousy.
Not love.
Not loyalty.
Vanessa had wanted everything Elena had.
The husband.
The house.
The children.
The inheritance.
She hadn't wanted to join my family.
She wanted to replace it.
My father tapped the folder.
“Enough. Sign the transfer documents.””
I looked down.
There was another document beneath the trust.
A company transfer agreement.
It would give Jonathan full control of my shares.
I looked at the signature line.
“You said you wanted the original trust.””
“We do.””
“Why do you need my signature?””
My father smiled.
“Because the original agreement has a provision requiring your consent before the controlling shares can be transferred.””
I slowly understood.
The entire kidnapping operation had been designed to force me into signing away the company.
“Where is Jonathan?””
Vanessa glanced toward the stairs.
“He'll be here shortly.””
I looked at her.
“Why?””
“Because he's the one who will take the documents to the lawyers.””
“And the girls?””
My father stood.
“They'll be released once everything is finalized.””
I laughed bitterly.
“You expect me to believe that?””
He walked toward me.
“You have no choice.””
Then a voice came from the staircase.
“Actually, he does.””
I turned.
Jonathan stood on the landing.
His right arm was wrapped in a bandage, and blood had soaked through the sleeve.
He looked furious.
“Give me the folder, Marcus.””
I stared at him.
“You tried to kill me?””
He smiled.
“Not personally.””
“You drugged Elena.””
“I kept her alive.””
“You locked her beneath my pool!””
“She was supposed to be moved that night.””
“Why?””
“Because you were going to propose to Vanessa. Once you married her, the inheritance arrangement would become much easier.””
I looked at Vanessa.
She didn't deny it.
Jonathan descended the stairs.
“You were always the problem, Marcus. Father gave you everything. The company.
The house. The public admiration. Even Elena.””
I shook my head.
“Is that what this is about? Jealousy?””
His face twisted.
“You don't know what I sacrificed!””
“You stole my daughter.””
“I protected the family!””
“You stole six years from Lily!””
Jonathan suddenly grabbed the folder.
I held on.
We struggled beside the fireplace.
The documents scattered across the floor.
Vanessa screamed.
“Stop! Both of you!””
Jonathan shoved me against the wall.
Then he pulled a small pistol from his jacket.
My father calmly stepped backward.
“Jonathan, don't be stupid.””
My brother pointed the weapon at me.
“Sign the papers.””
I stared at him.
“Where is Elena?””
Jonathan's jaw tightened.
“She's alive.””
“Where?””
He laughed.
“You still think you're in control?””
He raised the gun.
Then another voice came from the hallway.
“Put it down, Jonathan.””
Everyone turned.
Detective Morgan stood in the doorway.
Her weapon was raised.
Behind her were armed officers.
Jonathan's face went pale.
“How did you find us?””
Morgan smiled slightly.
“You're not the only person who knows how to monitor a phone.””
Jonathan looked at Vanessa.
She immediately shook her head.
“I didn't tell them anything!””
My father moved toward the side door.
An officer shouted.
“Don't move!””
But Jonathan suddenly grabbed Vanessa and pulled her in front of him.
“Get back!””
He pressed the gun against her head.
Vanessa screamed.
“Jonathan! Don't!””
My father watched silently.
Then he did something none of us expected.
He walked toward the fireplace, picked up the whiskey glass, and smashed it against the stone.
A hidden panel opened behind the painting.
He reached inside.
And pulled out a small black remote.
Detective Morgan shouted.
“Drop it!””
My father smiled.
“I'm afraid you don't understand what happens if I press this.””
Jonathan laughed.
“Father, don't.””
My father's thumb hovered over the button.
Then a small voice came from upstairs.
“Grandpa?””
Everyone looked toward the staircase.
Ava stood at the top.
Lily was beside her.
Both girls were holding hands.
And behind them stood Elena.
Weak.
Barefoot.
But alive.
She looked directly at my father.
“You still haven't learned, Edward.””
My father froze.
Elena took one step forward.
“Your children aren't the only ones who know your secrets.””
May you like
She raised a small device in her hand.
“Everything you've said tonight has been recorded.””
