Chapter 5 - THE MAN WHO WANTED REVENGE
Harrison Voss had wanted Harbor House for more than forty years.
Not because of its waterfront views.
Not because of its historical significance.
And not because he wanted to give his daughter a beautiful wedding venue.
He wanted revenge.
Arthur Bennett explained everything over coffee in my grandmother's library.
When Harrison was a young investment banker, he'd courted Eleanor Whitcomb.
He was handsome.
Ambitious.
Charming enough to make newspaper society columns.
My grandmother had admired his intelligence.
But when she discovered he was using client investments to conceal losses in a shipping company, she confronted him.
Harrison denied everything.
Then offered to marry her.
Grandmother refused.
Within months, she helped independent investigators uncover the fraud.
The scandal destroyed Harrison's career.
He rebuilt his fortune over the following decades.
But apparently, he never forgot.
"Why didn't Grandmother tell me?" I asked.
Arthur looked sad.
"Because she wanted you to live without inheriting her enemies."
I glanced toward the forged authorization.
"That worked beautifully."
Vivian almost smiled.
Then Arthur continued.
"Harrison attempted to buy Harbor House several times."
"I know about the offers."
"But you don't know about the threats."
My stomach tightened.
"What threats?"
"Anonymous letters. Attempts to challenge the trust. Pressure on local officials."
I stared.
Arthur opened another folder.
Inside were old correspondence records.
One letter caught my attention.
Everything Whitcomb owns will eventually return to Voss.
My blood ran cold.
The letter was dated thirty-one years earlier.
Before Sloane was born.
Before Camden and I met.
Before I'd ever imagined my marriage could become a trap.
"Why would Harrison believe the property belonged to him?" I whispered.
Arthur hesitated.
"Because he claims your grandmother stole something from his family."
"What?"
"Ownership rights in Whitcomb Harbor Shipping."
I frowned.
"My grandfather founded that company."
Arthur nodded.
"Yes. But Harrison disputes the original financing arrangements."
Vivian leaned forward.
"Do we have the incorporation documents?"
Arthur opened his portfolio.
"Copies."
Then he looked toward me.
"Nora, there's another reason you need to protect Harbor House."
I stared.
"What?"
"The old shipping company still owns certain waterfront access rights."
"How valuable?"
Arthur took a breath.
"Very."
Vivian reviewed the documents.
Her expression changed.
"These rights could be worth considerably more than the property itself."
My stomach tightened.
"How much?"
She looked toward Arthur.
Then back at me.
"Depending on development approvals and valuation, potentially hundreds of millions."
I sat back.
For months, Camden had complained that Harbor House was an expensive burden.
He'd mocked my attachment to it.
Called my grandmother sentimental.
Told me maintaining the property was financially irresponsible.
Now I understood.
Someone had convinced him there was a fortune beneath my family's history.
Then Rosa entered carrying a fresh pot of coffee.
Her face was pale.
"Mrs. Reed?"
I turned.
"Yes?"
"Mr. Camden is downstairs."
My stomach tightened.
"What does he want?"
Rosa swallowed.
"He's brought Miss Voss."
I stared.
"And?"
May you like
Rosa's voice trembled.
"They say they're here to collect the keys to Harbor House."
