Chapter 8 - THE NIGHT EVERYTHING CHANGEDElena told us the story in pieces.
Twenty-eight years ago, David Mercer discovered that Josh was his biological son.
He wanted custody.
He had proof.
DNA records.
Hospital documents.
Birth records.
Everything.
But Mom refused.
She was terrified my father would leave her.
So she lied.
She told David the baby had died.
David believed her.
Until six years later.
He found out Josh was alive.
By then, my father had already built a life around him.
David threatened to expose everything.
My father responded with money.
Millions.
Properties.
Shares.
Silence.
But David refused.
He wanted his son.
Then he died.
His daughter, Elena, spent years trying to uncover the truth.
And eventually, she did.
I stared at her.
“So Josh knows?”
“He learned two years ago.”
Bella whispered:
“And he stayed?”
“He stayed because your family offered him something.”
“What?”
Elena looked at me.
“Your inheritance.”
I felt sick.
“What does Josh have to do with Northstar?”
“Everything.”
She took out another document.
Northstar Maritime Holdings had been created by my father.
But its controlling shares were placed inside the trust.
The company owned shipping contracts, marina properties, warehouses, and commercial land.
At current valuation:
$41 million.
I stared at the number.
“Forty-one million?”
Elena nodded.
“And your family knew.”
“Mom knew?”
“Yes.”
“Josh knew?”
“Yes.”
“Ashley?”
“Yes.”
“That's why she wanted my cabin.”
Elena shook her head.
“No.”
I frowned.
“She wanted you isolated.”
“Why?”
“Because the legal documents were supposed to be presented after the cruise.”
“What documents?”
“The power of attorney.”
Martin's letter.
My father's warning.
Everything connected.
Elena continued.
“Your mother planned to tell you that Josh was in financial trouble. She would ask you to help. Ashley would create an emotional scene. Then your mother would present the document.”
“What if I refused?”
“She would tell you that Grandma's care depended on it.”
I went silent.
That was exactly the kind of pressure they would use.
Family.
Guilt.
Responsibility.
Grandma.
They knew me too well.
Or thought they did.
Bella suddenly asked:
“What about the attorney?”
“Daniel Harper?”
Elena nodded.
“He isn't Ashley's attorney.”
I looked at her.
“What?”
“He's representing your mother.”
My blood ran cold.
“Why would he pretend to represent Ashley?”
“Because the legal complaint is part of the trap.”
“What trap?”
“To make you settle.”
“For $17,340?”
“Yes.”
“Then what?”
“Once you sign the settlement agreement, you'll unknowingly acknowledge liability.”
“And that could be used against me.”
“Exactly.”
I looked at Bella.
“This is insane.”
“No,” Elena said quietly.
“This is organized.”
My phone buzzed.
A new email.
From Daniel Harper.
FINAL NOTICE
Attached was a settlement agreement.
But there was another attachment.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I hadn't opened it.
Elena saw the file name.
Her face changed.
“Don't.”
“I won't.”
She stared at the screen.
“There is something else.”
“What?”
“Your father didn't leave you the trust because he wanted you rich.”
I looked at her.
“Then why?”
“He wanted you to finish something.”
“What?”
She pulled a small key from her coat.
On the key was a number.
17.
“What's this?”
“A storage facility.”
“What's inside?”
“A record of everything your father hid.”
“Why didn't he destroy it?”
“Because he knew someday you would need it.”
I took the key.
“What am I looking for?”
Elena's eyes met mine.
“Proof that your mother committed a crime.”
Bella stiffened.
“What crime?”
Elena answered:
“Murder.”
The room went silent.
I stared at her.
“Whose murder?”
May you like
She took a breath.
“David Mercer's.”
