Chapter 16 - The Original Will
Julian surrendered that afternoon.
He arrived at the hospital with his attorney and gave investigators every device he possessed.
Marcus met him privately.
“Where's Dad's original will?”
Julian stared at him.
“Warren has it.”
“He says you know.”
“I know where it was.”
“Where?”
“Dad's lake house.”
Marcus frowned.
The property had remained empty since their father's death.
“He kept a private safe behind the library fireplace.”
“You opened it?”
“Six months ago.”
“With Warren?”
“Yes.”
Inside they found a handwritten will dated fourteen months before Marcus's father died.
It differed dramatically from the final estate documents.
The earlier version divided controlling shares equally between Marcus and Julian.
No guardianship provisions.
No special role for Khloe.
Julian believed the document proved their father had been manipulated into changing his intentions.
Marcus asked the obvious question.
“By whom?”
Julian looked at him.
“Mother.”
Victoria was waiting outside.
Marcus confronted her immediately.
“Did you pressure Dad to change his will?”
Victoria did not deny it.
“Yes.”
Julian laughed bitterly.
“There it is.”
Marcus raised a hand.
“Let her finish.”
Victoria looked exhausted.
“Your father was dying.”
“He was also watching both of you.”
Julian's face hardened.
“He decided you were reckless.”
“You decided.”
“No.”
Victoria's voice rose.
“He did.”
She turned toward Marcus.
“And he decided you were becoming exactly like him.”
Marcus frowned.
“That doesn't sound like a compliment.”
“It wasn't.”
Victoria explained that Marcus's father had feared concentrated power.
He wanted the next generation to force Marcus to share authority.
Khloe had not been chosen because she was wealthy.
She had been chosen because she consistently challenged Marcus.
“You hated her,” Marcus said.
“I did.”
Victoria almost smiled.
“That's partly why your father trusted her.”
Khloe entered quietly.
“He knew you wouldn't control me.”
Victoria nodded.
“Exactly.”
Khloe sat.
“Then why hide everything?”
Victoria looked toward the window.
“Because I thought I could manage the company better than all of you.”
The confession surprised nobody.
Victoria continued.
“I delayed disclosures.”
“I kept the Bellweather letter.”
“I investigated Warren privately.”
“I manipulated Isabella.”
“And every secret gave Warren another opening.”
Khloe stared at her.
“Yes.”
Victoria looked at her.
“For what it's worth, I'm sorry.”
It was probably the first sincere apology Victoria Thorne had given in years.
Khloe accepted it without forgiving everything.
Those were different things.
Marcus turned toward Julian.
“What happens to you now?”
“I cooperate.”
“And after?”
Julian shrugged.
“Probably prison.”
Marcus looked at his brother.
Part of him wanted punishment.
Another part remembered two boys racing bicycles across their father's estate.
“I can't protect you.”
“I know.”
“I won't.”
“I know.”
Julian stood.
“But Marcus?”
“Yes?”
“I really didn't know they were going to hurt her.”
Marcus looked toward Khloe.
“That doesn't erase what you did.”
“No.”
Julian nodded.
“But I needed you to hear it.”
Before leaving, Julian handed Marcus a small key.
“The lake-house safe had another compartment.”
“What was inside?”
“I never opened it.”
“Why not?”
“Warren didn't know about it.”
Marcus stared at the key.
That evening, he and Khloe debated whether to investigate.
Khloe finally smiled faintly.
“Our lives apparently aren't complicated enough.”
Marcus kissed her hand.
“I'm sorry.”
“For which part?”
He almost laughed.
“That's fair.”
The following morning, Damian arranged transportation to the lake house.
But before Marcus could leave, investigators called.
Warren Sloan had escaped custody during a medical transfer.
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And according to traffic cameras, the stolen vehicle was heading north.
Toward the Thorne lake house.
