Chapter 11 - THE SECRET BEHIND WHITMORE HOLDINGS
The lights returned five minutes later.
No one moved.
Emily stared at Diane.
“Who found us?”
Diane didn't answer.
Ryan looked at the windows.
Melissa was crying.
Daniel remained calm.
“Everyone stays inside.”
Emily turned toward him.
“Why?”
“Because we don't know who is outside.”
A knock came at the door.
Three slow knocks.
Everyone froze.
Then a voice.
“Emily.”
Jonathan.
Emily opened the door despite Daniel's warning.
Jonathan stood outside.
His face was exhausted.
“You need to come with me.”
Emily didn't move.
“You said I shouldn't trust you.”
“I said your mother would blame me.”
Diane stepped forward.
“You're lying.”
Jonathan looked at her.
“After everything you've done, you still think you're the victim?”
Diane's face went pale.
Jonathan turned to Emily.
“Your father didn't disappear because of me.”
“Then why?”
“Because he discovered where the money was going.”
Emily held her breath.
“Where?”
Jonathan looked at Ryan.
“Ask your brother.”
Ryan shook his head.
“No.”
Emily stared at him.
“Ask him what?”
Jonathan said,
“Ask him why he created Whitmore Holdings.”
Emily turned to Ryan.
“Did you?”
Ryan began crying.
“I didn't create it.”
“Then who did?”
He looked at Diane.
Diane closed her eyes.
Emily understood.
Her mother had created it.
But why?
Jonathan handed Emily a folder.
Inside were corporate records.
Whitmore Holdings had received money from Emily's trust.
Then it had transferred money to another company.
That company had transferred it again.
The money disappeared through layers of businesses.
Emily followed the trail.
Then stopped.
One final recipient appeared.
A private investment fund.
Its director was listed as a man named Charles Whitmore.
Emily stared.
“Who is Charles?”
Diane whispered,
“Your father's brother.”
Emily looked up.
“My uncle?”
“You were told he died before you were born,” Jonathan said.
Emily's hands trembled.
“He's alive?”
Jonathan nodded.
“And he's been waiting.”
“For what?”
Jonathan looked directly at her.
“For control of everything your father left behind.”
Emily stared at the records.
Then at Diane.
“Why did you steal from me?”
Diane finally broke.
“I was trying to keep you alive.”
Emily stepped backward.
“What?”
Diane whispered,
“Your father wasn't the first person Charles destroyed.”
May you like
She looked at Emily.
“And he won't stop with you.”
