Chapter 6 - The Man Who Was Supposed to Be Dead)
Elena spent the night trying to understand what Daniel had revealed.
Her uncle, Thomas Carter, had supposedly died in a boating accident before Elena was born.
There had never been a body.
Only a death certificate.
Daniel admitted he had helped conceal the truth.
"I was afraid."
"Of my uncle?"
"Of what he was capable of."
Daniel explained that Thomas had built an underground financial network using legitimate companies as cover.
Julian inherited access.
Not ownership.
Access.
"But why marry me?"
Elena asked.
Daniel looked at her sadly.
"Because your father created a legal barrier."
"What barrier?"
"Only a spouse could access certain assets after your father's death."
Elena's hands went cold.
Julian had not married her for love.
He had married her because of her name.
Because of what her father left behind.
Margaret suddenly opened her laptop.
"I found something."
She turned the screen toward Elena.
A recent transaction.
The amount was enormous.
The recipient was listed as Thomas Carter.
Elena stared.
"He's alive."
Daniel nodded.
"I warned your father."
"Then why didn't he stop him?"
Daniel looked toward the window.
"Because Thomas had already infiltrated everything."
"The company?"
"Yes."
"The banks?"
"Some."
"The government?"
Daniel hesitated.
"People."
Elena understood.
Thomas did not need to control institutions.
He only needed people inside them.
Then her phone rang.
Julian.
She answered.
"Where are you?"
His voice sounded unusually calm.
"Why?"
"Because I know you went to that house."
Elena said nothing.
Julian continued.
"You have no idea what you've opened."
Elena looked at Daniel.
Then at Margaret.
"Neither do you."
Julian laughed softly.
"You still think this is about Chloe."
Elena's heart tightened.
"What is it about?"
Julian paused.
Then he said:
May you like
"Your father."
The call ended.
