Chapter 7 - Victoria Hale
Madison opened the door.
A woman stood outside.
Late fifties.
Dark coat.
Gray blonde hair.
Calm eyes.
Victoria Hale.
Madison stared at her.
Victoria smiled sadly.
You look exactly like your grandfather.
Madison stepped outside.
Why have you been watching my family?
I have not.
Then why did you call me?
Because your family has been watching you.
Madison glanced back.
Victoria lowered her voice.
Your father is not the person you think he is.
Madison almost laughed.
Everyone keeps saying that.
Victoria reached into her coat.
Madison immediately tensed.
Victoria stopped.
I am not here to hurt anyone.
She removed a small envelope.
Your grandfather gave me this.
When?
The night before he died.
Why did you wait?
Because he told me to.
Until when?
Until your brother turned fourteen.
Madison took the envelope.
Why?
Because Ethan's fourteenth birthday activated the final clause of the trust.
Madison opened it.
Inside was a single sentence.
The person who controls the evidence controls the family.
Madison frowned.
What evidence?
Victoria looked toward the house.
Ask Richard.
Madison turned.
He will not tell me.
Then ask Evelyn.
She already knows.
Madison looked back.
What do you know?
Victoria hesitated.
I know that the second signature belonged to someone who was never supposed to exist in the family records.
Who?
Victoria looked directly at Madison.
Me.
Madison's eyes widened.
You signed the trust?
Yes.
Then why is your name missing?
Because someone removed it.
Who?
Victoria did not answer.
Instead, she looked at Ethan through the doorway.
He is the key.
Madison stepped forward.
The key to what?
Victoria whispered:
The account your grandfather created in Ethan's name.
Madison's pulse raced.
There is an account?
Yes.
How much?
Enough to destroy your father's reputation.
Richard appeared behind Madison.
Victoria.
She turned.
Richard's face was filled with anger.
You promised never to return.
Victoria looked at him.
You promised never to lie to your children.
Silence.
Then Victoria said:
We are out of time.
Madison looked at the road.
A second vehicle had stopped across the street.
Someone was sitting inside.
Watching.
Victoria noticed it too.
She grabbed Madison's arm.
Get Ethan out of the house.
Why?
Because whoever is in that car already knows the packet exists.
Madison looked back at the house.
The packet.
She had not yet found the original.
May you like
And suddenly she understood.
Someone had already searched the house.
