Chapter 8 - THE WILL NOBODY WAS SUPPOSED TO FIND
Vivienne Cole had left a secret will.
Lucas discovered it the following morning.
The document had been sealed inside a private trust file that Margaret Voss had controlled for six years.
Rebecca Shaw located the original through an independent trustee.
When the attorney opened it, Lucas stood beside me in complete silence.
His mother's signature appeared at the bottom.
So did Rose Carter's.
And Eleanor Bennett's.
Rebecca began reading.
“Upon my death, operational control of Cole House shall transfer temporarily to the appointed trustee until the rightful owners are identified and compensated.”
Lucas frowned.
“Who was the trustee?”
Rebecca hesitated.
“Margaret Voss.”
He closed his eyes.
“Of course.”
But the next clause changed everything.
Vivienne had placed strict limits on Margaret's authority.
She could manage routine operations.
She could not sell ownership shares.
She could not transfer intellectual property.
And she was required to preserve Rose Carter's partnership interest.
Margaret had ignored every restriction.
Lucas looked furious.
“She used my mother's death to take control.”
Rebecca nodded.
“And she concealed the trust from you.”
I stared at the documents.
“Can we get our inheritance back?”
“We have strong grounds to challenge the transfers. But the courts will need to determine the full extent of the fraud.”
I looked toward Lucas.
He seemed exhausted.
For the first time, I understood that his wealth had trapped him too.
He'd inherited a company filled with secrets.
Trusted the wrong people.
And spent years believing his mother's legacy was safe.
Then Rebecca opened a sealed letter addressed to Lucas.
He recognized the handwriting instantly.
His mother's.
He read silently.
His expression changed.
Then he handed it to me.
My dearest Lucas,
If you're reading this, I am no longer there to protect the women who helped build our dream.
Rose Carter is not an employee. She is my partner, my friend, and the heart of Cole House.
My eyes filled with tears.
Her daughters are the future of this company.
If anyone attempts to steal what belongs to them, I trust you to make it right.
Lucas looked at me.
“I will.”
I believed him.
But before either of us could speak, his phone rang.
Investigator Hayes.
They had located Daniel Whitmore.
At the North Pier Warehouse.
Officers had entered the property.
Sophie was alive.
My knees nearly gave way.
“Where is she?”
Lucas put the call on speaker.
Hayes's voice was tense.
“She is safe and receiving medical attention.”
I began crying.
“Thank God.”
Then the investigator continued.
“But Daniel escaped through a service tunnel.”
Lucas's expression hardened.
“And Margaret?”
“She is missing.”
I wiped my eyes.
Then Hayes added:
“We found something in the warehouse.”
“What?”
“A locked storage room containing dozens of Cole House garments.”
Lucas frowned.
“So?”
“Every garment has been labeled with the same designer's name.”
I felt cold.
Hayes continued.
“Elena Carter.”
I stared at the phone.
May you like
Then she said the words that changed everything.
“Someone has been manufacturing your designs for five years.”
