Chapter 9 - The Father Who DisappearedDaniel looked older than Ethan remembered.
His hair was grey.
His face was thinner.
But his eyes were unmistakable.
Ethan stepped forward.
“Dad.”
Daniel nodded.
“I knew you'd come.”
Ethan's voice trembled.
“You let me believe you were dead.”
“I had to.”
“You let me believe Lily was dead.”
Daniel lowered his head.
“I was trying to protect her.”
Ethan shook his head.
“You protected everyone except me.”
Daniel accepted the accusation.
“I know.”
Emma approached him.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because Victor had someone inside my organization.”
“The lawyer?”
Daniel nodded.
“He controlled every message.”
Claire looked at the journal.
“Then what is the real secret?”
Daniel looked at Lily.
“The secret is not the money.”
Everyone waited.
Daniel continued.
“Victor wanted control of Reed Holdings.”
Ethan frowned.
“That was it?”
“No.”
Daniel's expression became grim.
“He wanted something hidden inside the company.”
“What?”
“A trust.”
Hannah looked confused.
“Whose trust?”
Daniel answered.
“Lily's.”
Everyone froze.
Daniel explained.
Before Lily was born, Emma discovered that Victor was trying to steal control of several companies.
Daniel created a secret trust for Lily.
If anything happened to Ethan, Lily would inherit everything.
Victor discovered the trust.
That was why Lily became the target.
Ethan stared at his daughter.
“My child was worth billions to him.”
Daniel shook his head.
“No.”
He looked at Lily.
“She was worth more than money.”
Victor had wanted the trust.
But Daniel had hidden the legal documents.
“Where?”
Daniel pointed toward the journal.
“Inside the last page.”
Ethan opened it.
Nothing.
Daniel smiled.
“You are looking at it.”
Ethan frowned.
Then he realized.
The page itself was a legal document.
The ink was invisible.
Claire brought it under the fireplace light.
Words appeared.
Lily was the sole beneficiary.
But one clause shocked everyone.
If Lily's parents were both alive, control remained with them.
Emma looked at Ethan.
“We are both alive.”
Daniel nodded.
“That is why Victor wants you both gone.”
A car engine roared outside.
Victor had found them.
May you like
Daniel looked at Ethan.
“Now you know what happens next.”
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