Chapter 14 - The Woman at the Gate
Vivian was the first to see her.
A black sedan stopped outside the estate.
A woman stepped out.
She was older than Emma expected.
Elegant.
Calm.
She carried a small leather case.
Vivian walked toward the entrance.
"Who are you?"
The woman looked at her.
"You know."
Vivian froze.
Daniel came outside.
He saw the woman.
His face went white.
"Anna."
Emma arrived minutes later.
She stepped out of her car.
The woman turned toward her.
Their eyes met.
Neither spoke.
Then Anna smiled.
"You're exactly like your father."
Emma approached.
"You knew him?"
Anna nodded.
"Very well."
Vivian interrupted.
"Why are you here?"
Anna looked at her.
"Because the trust has been activated."
Vivian's expression collapsed.
Daniel asked:
"What trust?"
Anna looked at him.
"The one your father hid from your mother."
Vivian stepped back.
"No."
Anna opened the leather case.
Inside was an original document.
"The beneficiary meeting is tomorrow."
Emma stared.
"Who called it?"
Anna smiled.
"You did."
"I did?"
"Your withdrawal of authorization triggered the clause."
Marcus looked at the document.
"It's legitimate."
Daniel asked:
"What happens tomorrow?"
Anna looked at him.
"The controlling beneficiary will be determined."
Vivian's voice shook.
"Who?"
Anna turned toward Emma.
"That depends."
"On what?"
"On whether the final condition has been met."
Emma frowned.
"What condition?"
Anna closed the case.
"I can't tell you."
"Why?"
"Because your father instructed me not to."
Emma's patience snapped.
"My father is dead."
Anna looked at her.
"He knew you would say that."
Emma went silent.
Anna continued:
"He also knew you would eventually ask why he trusted the Mercer family."
Emma stared.
"And why did he?"
Anna's eyes moved toward Vivian.
"He didn't."
Vivian's face went pale.
Anna looked back at Emma.
"He trusted one Mercer."
Emma waited.
"Richard."
Daniel lowered his head.
Anna continued:
"And Richard trusted someone else."
"Who?"
Anna smiled sadly.
"That is what the meeting is for."
She turned to leave.
Emma stopped her.
"Anna."
The woman looked back.
"What?"
"Did my father know Daniel would marry me?"
Anna's expression changed.
"Yes."
Emma's heart sank.
"Did he approve?"
Anna hesitated.
Then she said:
"He hoped Daniel would choose you for the right reason."
Emma stared.
"And did he?"
Anna looked at Daniel.
Daniel couldn't meet Emma's eyes.
Anna said nothing.
She walked away.
Emma turned toward Daniel.
He whispered:
"I don't know anymore."
Then Vivian screamed from behind them.
The front gate had opened.
A convoy of black vehicles was entering the estate.
May you like
Marcus looked at the lead car.
"The trustees."
