Chapter 14 - The Final Account
Daniel did not answer immediately.
Instead, he looked at Richard.
You finally told her.
Richard stepped forward.
Stay away from my family.
Daniel smiled.
You stopped being a family the moment your father hid the account.
Madison held up the letter.
What do you want?
The same thing your grandfather wanted.
The truth.
Then tell me.
Daniel looked at her.
You were born because of a secret agreement.
Your grandfather created an account in your name.
Why?
To protect assets from people who wanted them.
Who?
Me.
Madison stared.
Your father and I were supposed to divide the family holdings.
But your grandfather changed his mind.
He transferred everything.
To whom?
Daniel smiled.
To you.
Madison's breath caught.
Then why has nobody told me?
Because the account required two conditions.
What conditions?
You had to turn thirty.
And Ethan had to turn fourteen.
Madison looked at Ethan.
Why Ethan?
Because your grandfather believed siblings were harder to manipulate than individuals.
Daniel laughed softly.
He was wrong.
Madison stepped forward.
Where is the account?
Daniel held up his folder.
I have the final key.
Then give it to me.
I will.
For a price.
What?
Your father's confession.
Richard stepped forward.
No.
Daniel looked at him.
You can confess now, or Madison can discover the truth from the documents.
Madison turned toward Richard.
What did you do?
Richard's eyes filled with regret.
I signed the transfer.
What transfer?
The one that made you the legal beneficiary.
Then why did you fight Ethan's trust?
Because I needed everyone to believe the assets were still under my control.
You lied to the court.
Yes.
Madison looked at him.
Why?
To protect the final account.
Daniel suddenly laughed.
You still do not understand.
He opened the folder.
Your grandfather did not leave you money.
He left you control of the evidence.
Madison stared.
What evidence?
Daniel handed her the final key.
Everything.
Before she could take it, the archive doors opened.
Federal investigators entered.
Madison froze.
One investigator stepped forward.
Daniel Mercer, you are under investigation for financial fraud and conspiracy.
Daniel smiled.
Then he looked at Madison.
You still think this is over.
He pointed toward the key.
That key does not open the account.
Madison looked at him.
What does it open?
Daniel smiled.
The door your grandfather told everyone never to open.
Then he was taken away.
Madison stood motionless.
Ethan walked toward her.
What is behind the door?
Madison looked at the key.
She had no answer.
Not yet.
May you like
But she knew where the door was.
And she knew her grandfather had expected her to find it.
