Chapter 7 - Pamela's Secret
The black SUV appeared at the end of the driveway.
Evelyn stood.
“He knows.”
Claire locked the doors.
Maria moved Mateo toward the rear room.
Claire called Pamela.
No answer.
She called again.
Nothing.
Then a message appeared.
Come to the old observatory alone.
Claire knew it was a trap.
She went anyway.
Not alone.
Maria followed in a second vehicle.
They reached the observatory before sunset.
Pamela was waiting inside.
She looked exhausted.
“You shouldn't have come.”
Claire stared at her.
“You called me.”
“I know.”
“You knew Mateo could speak.”
Pamela nodded.
“You knew what happened.”
“Yes.”
“Then tell me.”
Pamela looked toward the dark windows.
“Richard wasn't supposed to hurt you.”
Claire's expression hardened.
“He gave me the bottle.”
“I know.”
“What is inside?”
Pamela shook her head.
“I don't know.”
Claire stared.
“You don't know?”
“I know what they wanted you to believe it was.”
Pamela opened her bag.
Inside were documents.
Bank records.
Property transfers.
Medical files.
And a photograph of Richard with the older man.
“This is the real reason.”
Claire looked at the documents.
Her company.
Her properties.
Her inheritance.
Everything had been slowly transferred.
Pamela explained that Richard had been using Claire's name to move assets through shell companies.
But that wasn't the worst part.
The transfers were connected to an old family trust.
A trust established by Richard's father.
Claire looked at Pamela.
“Why would his father need my company?”
“Because your company was worth more than anyone knew.”
“What does that have to do with Mateo?”
Pamela hesitated.
“Mateo was named in the original trust.”
Claire's heart stopped.
“My son?”
“Yes.”
Pamela showed her a document.
Mateo would inherit control of the trust at eighteen.
Claire stared at the signature.
Richard had tried to change the beneficiary.
But he couldn't.
Because the original trust required Mateo's signature.
And Mateo's identity had been protected by a clause no one had told Claire about.
“The boy had to remain alive and legally recognized.”
Claire looked up.
“So why silence him?”
Pamela answered softly.
“Because the trust also says he must confirm the original witnesses before the transfer can be completed.”
Claire understood.
Mateo wasn't just a child who knew a secret.
He was the key to a fortune.
But Pamela had more.
She showed Claire a video.
A meeting.
Richard.
Evelyn.
And the older man.
Claire leaned closer.
The older man turned toward the camera.
Her heart stopped.
It was Richard's father.
Alive.
Then he spoke.
“Claire will eventually discover the trust.”
Richard answered.
“Then we keep her distracted.”
“And the boy?”
Richard hesitated.
“He won't speak.”
The older man smiled.
“He will.”
The recording ended.
Claire stared at Pamela.
“How long have you had this?”
“Three years.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
Pamela looked away.
“Because the first time I tried, someone attacked my car.”
Claire felt cold.
“Who?”
Pamela shook her head.
“I never saw him.”
Then a sound came from outside.
A vehicle.
Pamela looked through the window.
May you like
Her face went pale.
“He found us.”
