Chapter 4 - The Will
Thomas Carter died eight months after the twins’ fourth birthday.
Michael had spent most of the previous year traveling between Atlanta and New York. Carter Structural Systems was preparing to merge with a national infrastructure company.
Ashley had become the company’s chief operating officer and Michael’s closest adviser.
She also became his fiancée.
Their engagement was announced at a charity gala in Atlanta.
Photographs showed Ashley in a silver dress with her hand resting on Michael’s arm. Michael smiled for the cameras, but several people who knew him well noticed that the expression never reached his eyes.
He respected Ashley.
He trusted her professionally.
He had convinced himself that stability was the same as love.
After his father’s funeral, the family attorneys gathered in a private conference room to review the trust.
Michael expected a routine meeting.
Instead, the lead attorney, Samuel Greene, placed a sealed document on the table.
“Your father amended the trust six years ago.”
Michael frowned. “Why wasn’t I told?”
“He instructed us to reveal the amendment after his death.”
Samuel explained that the trust held substantial land, investment accounts and controlling interests in several companies.
Michael would continue managing the assets.
However, when Michael had a biological child, that child would automatically become a beneficiary. If more than one child existed, the interests would be divided equally.
The child’s legal guardian could participate in important decisions until the child reached adulthood.
Ashley sat silently at the far end of the table.
“How would the trust confirm paternity?” she asked.
Samuel looked at her.
“Through a court-recognized acknowledgment, birth record or genetic testing.”
“And if the mother were considered unfit?”
“The child’s court-appointed guardian would exercise certain rights.”
Michael turned toward Ashley.
“Why are you asking?”
“I’m considering every legal possibility.”
Samuel closed the folder.
“There is another issue.”
He removed an old handwritten letter from Thomas Carter.
The letter was addressed to Michael.
A good company can survive mistakes, it read. A family cannot survive silence. Before you decide who deserves your trust, make sure you have heard the truth from the person accused.
Michael read the sentence twice.
For reasons he could not explain, he thought of Emily.
He had not spoken her name in years.
That evening, he searched for her online.
Her social media accounts were private. The elementary school website listed her as a teacher, but there were no personal details.
He typed her phone number into his mobile.
The number was blocked.
Michael did not remember blocking it.
He checked his email filters.
Emily’s name and every known address connected to her had been added to a restricted list.
His heart began to pound.
He summoned the company’s technology director.
“Who has permission to modify these filters?”
The director hesitated.
“You do. Ms. Monroe does. Your executive administrator did before she retired.”
“When were these restrictions created?”
“I would need to review the logs.”
“Do it.”
Ashley entered Michael’s office before the director could leave.
“We are already late for the merger call.”
Michael held up his phone.
“Why is Emily blocked?”
Ashley’s expression did not change.
“You asked me to prevent further harassment.”
“I asked you?”
“Years ago.”
“I don’t remember doing that.”
“You were under enormous pressure.”
Michael studied her.
“Did Emily ever try to contact me?”
Ashley glanced at the technology director.
“This is not an appropriate conversation to have in front of staff.”
Michael dismissed the director.
When the door closed, Ashley walked to his desk.
“Emily attempted to use your past relationship to gain access to the company. You made a decision. I protected it.”
“Did she come to the office on my birthday?”
“Yes.”
“Was I in Washington?”
Ashley’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“What does that matter now?”
“Was I in Washington?”
“You were preparing for a federal presentation.”
“That happened three floors above the lobby.”
Ashley remained silent.
Michael rose slowly.
“What did she want?”
“She never clearly explained.”
The answer was a lie, and they both knew it.
That night, Ashley entered the trust records using her executive credentials.
She searched for every reference to biological descendants, guardianship rights and beneficiary voting authority.
May you like
Then she called a private investigator.
“Find Emily Harper,” she said. “And determine whether she has children.”
