Chapter 13 - THE MAN WHO SIGNED THE CHECK
Nathan agreed to meet Robert privately.
Robert refused.
“Anything you say, you say in front of my attorney and my son.”
Nathan arrived furious.
“You’re destroying the company over an old family scandal.”
Robert stared at him.
“You helped steal my child.”
“I followed Howard’s instructions.”
“That defense has never made cowardice respectable.”
Nathan turned toward Liam.
“You think becoming a Hale will solve your problems?”
“I’m already Robert’s son,” Liam replied. “The surname isn’t the point.”
Nathan laughed.
“It will be when lawyers start dividing billions.”
Liam surprised everyone.
“Keep the money.”
Nathan stopped smiling.
“I want the truth.”
That frightened him more.
Because wealth could be negotiated.
Truth could not.
Miriam placed Evelyn’s payment records on the table.
Nathan denied arranging the hospital transfer.
Then Liam placed Grace Bell’s bracelet beside them.
Nathan’s eyes dropped toward it.
Only for a second.
But Robert noticed.
“You recognize that number.”
Nathan stood.
“This meeting is over.”
Robert blocked the door.
“No. But your protection is.”
Nathan’s expression hardened.
“You have no idea what Howard built to keep this buried.”
“He’s an old man.”
Nathan leaned closer.
“This did not end with Howard.”
Then he walked out.
That night someone broke into Nora’s apartment.
Nothing valuable was taken.
Only Lydia’s postcards.
Except Nora had already given them to Miriam for safekeeping.
The intruder did leave something behind.
A photograph.
It showed Olivia leaving school.
Across her face, someone had drawn a black X.
Robert looked at Liam.
Liam’s fear disappeared.
Something colder replaced it.
“They threatened my mother.”
He picked up the photograph.
“They threatened Nora.”
May you like
Then he looked at Olivia.
“They don’t get to threaten my sister.”
