Chapter 10 - The Hidden Account
Madison called her father.
No answer.
She called again.
Still nothing.
Then her phone received a message.
Stop looking.
Madison showed it to Bradley.
He looked at the number.
That is not your father's phone.
Madison's stomach tightened.
Where is he?
I do not know.
Evelyn sat down.
There is one place he would go.
Where?
The old Carter warehouse.
Madison grabbed her coat.
Bradley stood.
I am coming.
No.
You are staying here with Ethan.
Bradley shook his head.
If Richard is there, you will need someone who understands the documents.
Madison looked at him.
You lied to me.
I protected your father.
Those are not the same thing.
They left.
The warehouse was abandoned.
Inside, Madison found Richard standing beside an old desk.
He looked exhausted.
You should not have come.
Where is the packet?
Richard held it.
Your grandfather wanted this destroyed.
Why?
Because it would destroy everyone.
Madison stepped closer.
Open it.
Richard shook his head.
You do not understand.
Then make me understand.
He opened the packet.
Inside were bank records.
Transfers.
Dates.
Signatures.
Madison recognized one name.
Victoria Hale.
She looked at Richard.
She was involved?
No.
She was the one who discovered it.
Then why did Grandpa trust her?
Because she was the only person he could trust.
Madison continued reading.
Then she saw something impossible.
The account belonged to Ethan.
But the account had been active since before Ethan was born.
How?
Richard looked at her.
Your grandfather created it before you were born.
Why?
Because he knew the family business was going to collapse.
He needed somewhere to protect the assets.
Madison stared.
So you moved the money there.
Yes.
And everyone thought you stole it.
Yes.
Then why did you let them think that?
Because someone else was using the accusation to hunt for the account.
Madison looked at Ethan's name.
Who?
Richard's voice became barely audible.
The second signature.
Madison looked up.
You know who it belongs to.
Richard nodded.
Then tell me.
Before Richard could answer, a gunshot sounded outside.
The windows shattered.
Madison pulled Ethan behind the concrete wall.
Nobody was hit.
But the message was clear.
Someone wanted them silent.
May you like
Richard looked at Madison.
Now you know why I lied.
