Chapter 8 - The Little Girl Who Owned an EmpireThe original ownership key wasn't a physical key.
It was genetic.
Ethan spent the next hour trying to understand what Grace was saying.
Fifteen years earlier, Ethan’s father had created a private succession mechanism for Whitmore Systems.
The controlling shares were placed in a hidden trust.
The beneficiary was determined by DNA.
If Ethan died without producing an heir, ownership would transfer to the next verified Whitmore descendant.
Lily.
Ethan stared at the documents.
“So if I die…”
“Lily controls the company.”
“And my father wants her.”
Grace nodded.
“He wants the company.”
Madison interrupted.
“He wants more than that.”
Ethan looked at her.
She continued.
“He wants the trust destroyed.”
“Why?”
“Because the trust contains records of every illegal transaction.”
Grace nodded.
“Your father created a system that could destroy himself.”
“Why would he do that?”
“Because he planned to disappear.”
Thomas looked toward the door.
“We're running out of time.”
Ethan turned to him.
“What do you know about him?”
Thomas hesitated.
“Your father has been living under another identity.”
“Where?”
“I don't know.”
Madison said quietly:
“I do.”
Everyone looked at her.
“Where?”
“New York.”
Ethan stared.
“Why haven't you told me?”
“Because he has someone inside your company.”
“Who?”
Madison took a breath.
“Your chief financial officer.”
Ethan felt sick.
“Andrew?”
Madison nodded.
“Your father's favorite son.”
“Favorite what?”
“Your father never considered you his only son.”
Ethan stared.
“Who else?”
Madison smiled bitterly.
“Andrew.”
Ethan's security chief suddenly pulled his gun.
Ethan turned.
“What are you doing?”
The guard fired.
The bullet struck Thomas in the shoulder.
Chaos erupted.
Clara screamed.
Grace pushed Lily to the floor.
Ethan tackled the guard.
Madison ran.
“Madison!”
She disappeared through a service door.
The guard fought back.
Ethan slammed him against the wall.
“Who sent you?”
The man grinned.
“You're already dead.”
“What?”
The guard whispered:
“Check the stock exchange.”
Ethan's phone began vibrating.
He looked at the screen.
Alerts flooded in.
WHITMORE SYSTEMS SHARES COLLAPSING.
EMERGENCY BOARD MEETING CALLED.
ETHAN WHITMORE REMOVED AS CEO PENDING INVESTIGATION.
He stared.
“How?”
Thomas, bleeding badly, whispered:
“Your company has been attacked.”
Grace shook her head.
“Not attacked.”
“What then?”
“Taken.”
Ethan looked at Lily.
The little girl was clutching her drawing.
Then she whispered:
“Mr. Ethan…”
“What?”
“I know where Madison keeps the papers.”
Ethan crouched beside her.
“Where?”
Lily pointed toward the mansion.
“Behind the big mirror.”
Ethan frowned.
“Which mirror?”
“The one in your father's room.”
Grace's face changed.
She looked terrified.
“No.”
“What?”
“That room was sealed.”
“Why?”
May you like
Grace whispered:
“Because that is where he kept the people who knew too much.”
