Chapter 26 - The Name on the Certificate
Victoria had been twenty-seven when her mother supposedly died following a sudden illness overseas.
The funeral had been private because the body could not be returned immediately.
Victoria had never questioned it.
She had been building Meridian, traveling constantly and relying on Margaret to handle the arrangements.
Evelyn examined the hospital records.
The facility existed, but Eleanor Thompson had never been treated there.
The death certificate number belonged to another patient.
Margaret finally admitted the truth.
Eleanor had not died in that hospital.
She had entered a witness-protection arrangement after agreeing to testify about illegal technology transfers connected to one of Margaret’s former investment partners.
“Why was I told she died?”
“Because she asked us to protect you.”
“From whom?”
“From Helena.”
Victoria did not believe her.
Helena had been erased from Meridian. Eleanor had been erased from Victoria’s life. Margaret stood at the center of both disappearances.
Arthur’s mother arrived carrying a sealed package.
She had discovered it among Arthur’s father’s documents.
Years earlier, Margaret had asked Arthur’s father, a notary, to witness several signatures connected to Meridian.
One signature belonged to Eleanor Thompson.
The document transferred Helena Ward’s ownership interest to Victoria.
But the date was six months after Eleanor’s supposed death.
Someone had used Eleanor’s identity after she vanished.
At the bottom of the page was a handwritten note.
May you like
Do not let Victoria discover who paid for Meridian.
The ink matched the writing on the envelope left on the terrace.
