Chapter 11 - THE HIDDEN INHERITANCEEdward’s statement did not make sense.
Victoria had claimed Grace would inherit forty-one percent of Thorne Global.
But the recording suggested something more dangerous.
Detective Brooks enhanced the audio.
Isabella asked why the child mattered so much.
Edward answered that Grace’s inheritance included evidence.
He had stored copies of every illegal transaction committed by Samuel Voss and Victoria Thorne inside a protected family archive.
The archive would transfer to Grace’s legal guardian after her birth.
Marcus stared at the speaker.
“My father knew Mother was involved.”
Khloe nodded.
“And he hid the proof inside the trust.”
Adrian checked Grace’s medical chart while they listened.
“Where is the archive?”
Marcus remembered a childhood phrase.
His father often spoke about preserving the family’s foundation.
At the time, Marcus assumed he meant values.
Now he wondered whether foundation referred to a physical place.
Thorne Manor had been built in 1912.
Beneath the estate was an old stone basement that Victoria kept locked.
Marcus had not entered it since childhood.
He called the head of estate security.
No one answered.
The manor’s surveillance system had gone offline.
Detective Brooks sent officers immediately.
They arrived to find the gates open.
The security staff were unconscious inside the guardhouse.
Nothing appeared stolen from the main residence.
But the basement door had been forced open.
Marcus and Brooks entered with flashlights.
Behind the wine cellar was a narrow passageway.
It led beneath the original foundation.
At the end stood a steel door with an electronic lock.
The screen requested a biometric scan from Edward Thorne or his direct descendant.
Marcus placed his hand against the glass.
The door opened.
Inside were shelves containing financial records, drives, photographs, and legal documents.
A single computer rested in the center.
Marcus activated it.
A prerecorded video of Edward appeared.
“If you are seeing this, Grace has been born.”
Marcus’s throat tightened.
Edward continued.
“Victoria helped Samuel Voss steal from the company.”
“She later betrayed him and kept the money.”
“I disappeared because she threatened Marcus.”
“She told me our son would die if I returned.”
Marcus closed his eyes.
His mother had not protected him.
She had used him as leverage.
The video continued.
“Daniel knows part of the truth.”
“He does not know where the missing money is.”
“Victoria does.”
A sound came from the passage behind them.
Detective Brooks reached for her weapon.
May you like
Victoria stepped into the room holding a pistol.
“Move away from the computer.”
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