Chapter 5 - The Second Trust
The second trust was not recorded under Lena's name.
At least, not publicly.
Daniel explained that her grandfather had created a private holding structure shortly before his death.
It was designed to protect assets from anyone who might attempt to interfere with Lena's inheritance.
Robert had known about it.
But he had never controlled it.
Lena listened in disbelief.
“What does it contain?”
Daniel shook his head.
“I don't know the full amount.”
Robert laughed.
“You see? Even he doesn't know.”
Daniel ignored him.
“The trustee does.”
“Who?”
Daniel looked at the letter.
“Your grandfather appointed someone he trusted.”
Lena waited.
“Who?”
Daniel hesitated.
Then he gave her a name.
Margaret Ellis.
Lena knew the name.
Everyone in the family knew Margaret.
She had been her grandfather's longtime business partner.
But Margaret had moved away years ago.
Lena had not seen her since she was a teenager.
“Where is she now?”
Daniel said, “That's complicated.”
Robert interrupted.
“She died.”
Lena looked at him.
Daniel shook his head.
“No.”
Robert's eyes hardened.
Daniel continued.
“She disappeared.”
Lena felt a chill.
“When?”
“Three years ago.”
“Why?”
“We don't know.”
Robert walked toward the kitchen.
“Because she was sick.”
Daniel looked at him.
“That isn't what the records say.”
Lena turned toward Robert.
“What happened to Margaret?”
Robert stopped.
“Nothing.”
“You just said she died.”
“I was mistaken.”
“You don't make mistakes like that.”
Robert didn't answer.
Susan looked confused.
“Robert, what is he talking about?”
Robert ignored her.
Lena walked closer.
“You know where she is.”
“No.”
“Then why are you afraid of her?”
Robert's eyes flashed.
“I am not afraid of anyone.”
Daniel quietly said, “The trust can only be accessed with Lena's approval.”
Lena turned.
“What does that mean?”
“It means the person controlling the trust cannot release the assets without you.”
“Then why haven't I heard from them?”
Daniel looked at the letter.
“Because someone has been intercepting correspondence.”
Lena stared.
“Someone?”
Daniel nodded.
“For years.”
Robert suddenly reached for his phone.
Lena noticed.
“Who are you calling?”
“No one.”
“You're calling someone.”
Robert walked away.
Daniel said quietly, “Lena, you need to leave tonight.”
She looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because once your father realizes what you know, he will do everything he can to control the situation.”
Robert turned around.
“You don't know me.”
Daniel looked directly at him.
“I know exactly what you've done.”
Robert's face turned red.
Lena took the documents and her grandfather's letter.
She walked toward the door.
Susan followed.
“Lena, please.”
Lena stopped.
Her mother looked terrified.
“I didn't know about the trust.”
“I believe you.”
Susan began to cry.
“But I did know about the money.”
Lena said nothing.
“I thought he was borrowing it.”
“How much?”
Susan looked down.
“All of it.”
Lena closed her eyes.
“How much did you know?”
Susan whispered a number.
Lena opened her eyes.
It was far more than Daniel had mentioned.
Far more.
Then Susan added:
“And there was another transfer.”
Lena stared at her.
“What transfer?”
Susan looked toward Robert.
Robert was already gone.
May you like
Susan lowered her voice.
“The money wasn't the only thing your father took.”
