Chapter 11 - Michael walked toward us slowly.I had a thousand questions.
But only one came out.
“Where's Emma?”
He smiled.
“Alive.”
“Bring her.”
“Not yet.”
Jessica stepped forward.
“You kidnapped her.”
Michael looked amused.
“You have no idea what I sacrificed for this family.”
“You tried to kill Elizabeth.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“I saved her.”
I stared.
“What?”
“That accident wasn't my order.”
“Then whose?”
Michael looked at Jessica.
“Ask your sister.”
Jessica froze.
I turned to her.
“What does he mean?”
She started crying.
Michael laughed.
“She knows.”
Jessica shook her head.
“No.”
“You signed the transfer.”
“What transfer?”
I looked at her.
She broke.
“When Dad said you would inherit Northstar, he told me the only way to save the company was to sign some documents.”
I couldn't believe it.
“What did you sign?”
“Control rights.”
My stomach dropped.
Michael nodded.
“And those rights gave your father access to everything.”
He turned to me.
“You were never supposed to receive the company.”
“Then why did Grandpa put it in my name?”
“Because he wanted to force the truth into the open.”
Michael pulled out a folder.
Inside was a final will.
My grandfather's signature.
There it was.
Northstar.
The properties.
The trust.
Everything.
But there was another clause.
If my father concealed the estate until I reached twenty-five, every hidden asset would be independently audited.
My father had prevented that.
How?
Michael answered.
“He bribed the trustee.”
My mouth went dry.
“Who?”
Michael smiled.
“Your lawyer.”
Daniel.
I stepped back.
No.
Michael placed another file on the table.
Bank transfers.
Payments to Daniel.
For years.
The supposed legal advisor helping me had been paid by my father.
Jessica looked horrified.
“Then why did Daniel help her?”
Michael laughed.
“He changed sides.”
I felt sick.
“How long has this been happening?”
“Months.”
“Why?”
“Because the money stopped.”
I understood.
My father was losing control.
Daniel had realized where the wind was blowing.
Michael looked toward the far door.
“Bring the girl.”
Two men entered.
Emma walked between them.
I nearly collapsed.
She ran to me.
“Mom!”
I hugged her.
She was trembling.
I checked her arms.
Her face.
Her neck.
No injuries.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded.
Michael watched us.
“You see?”
He said softly.
“That's why your grandfather chose her.”
I turned.
“Chose her for what?”
Michael's expression changed.
“Not her.”
He pointed at me.
“For you.”
Then he handed me another envelope.
“Open it.”
Inside was a letter.
My grandfather again.
When your daughter turns seven, the family will reveal itself.
I stared at the sentence.
The Disney tickets.
The exclusion.
The trigger.
The trust.
It had all been anticipated.
But there was one line below.
And when they reveal themselves, do not seek revenge.
I looked at Michael.
“What do you want?”
“Nothing.”
He nodded toward the door.
“I want you to finish what your grandfather started.”
“Which is?”
“Take control of Northstar.”
I shook my head.
“I don't want it.”
“You don't get to choose anymore.”
I stepped back.
“I want my daughter safe.”
Michael nodded.
“Then listen.”
He pointed toward the flash drive.
“Your father isn't the final enemy.”
I stared.
“Who is?”
Michael whispered:
“The person who ordered your grandfather's death.”
I felt cold.
“My grandfather died naturally.”
Michael shook his head.
“No.”
May you like
Then he said the sentence that changed everything.
“Your grandfather was poisoned.”
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