Chapter 4 - THE LETTER MY FATHER LEFT BEHIND
My father had warned me about Ethan’s family before Ethan and I ever met.
That should have made things simple.
It didn’t.
Because my father had died seven years ago.
Ethan entered my life six months later.
How could my father have known?
I read the letter again.
Especially a Walker.
“Mom.”
“Yes?”
“Did Dad know Ethan?”
“No.”
“Then why Walker?”
“He knew Michael.”
Ethan’s father.
“What happened between them?”
My mother hesitated.
“Michael accused your father of stealing Northstar.”
“Did he?”
“No.”
“What actually happened?”
“Henry Bennett tried to move the patent rights into a private offshore trust. Jonathan blocked him.”
“And Michael?”
“Helped Henry.”
I closed my eyes.
“So Dad considered the Walkers enemies.”
“Yes.”
“Did Ethan know that?”
“I don’t know.”
I did.
Or at least I intended to find out.
That afternoon, I returned to Ashbourne.
I asked security to pull everything on Walker Capital.
Then I called NordTech’s chairman in Stockholm.
His name was Erik Dahl.
Seventy-two.
Famous for distrusting investment bankers.
He answered on video.
“Claire Quinn.”
“Mr. Dahl.”
“I heard you returned.”
“News travels.”
“In my world, yes.”
I smiled.
“I want to continue the acquisition.”
He studied me.
“I expected you would.”
“Why?”
“Your father said you would.”
My chest tightened.
“My father?”
“He spoke about you often.”
“When did you last see him?”
Erik’s expression changed.
“Two days before he died.”
I stopped breathing.
“In Geneva?”
“Yes.”
“What did you discuss?”
He looked away.
“Northstar.”
“Did he seem ill?”
“No.”
“Afraid?”
“Yes.”
My stomach tightened.
“Of who?”
Before he could answer, his office door opened.
A woman entered.
Sophia Bennett.
My blood went cold.
She stopped when she saw me on screen.
Then smiled.
“Claire.”
“Hello, Sophia.”
Erik frowned.
“I wasn’t aware you two knew each other personally.”
Sophia’s smile deepened.
“Oh, we know each other very well.”
I held her gaze.
“How’s the blouse?”
The smile vanished.
Erik looked confused.
Good.
Sophia sat beside him.
“I assume you’re leading Ashbourne’s bid.”
“Yes.”
“Unexpected.”
“Disappointed?”
“Curious.”
“About?”
“What made you come back.”
I touched the faint bruise still visible along my cheekbone.
“Motivation.”
Her eyes flickered.
She knew exactly what I meant.
Erik cleared his throat.
“I suggest we keep personal matters separate.”
“Agreed,” I said.
Sophia nodded.
Then she added,
“Although Ethan may find that difficult.”
I looked at her.
“Why?”
She smiled.
“He owns part of Bennett’s bid vehicle.”
My stomach dropped.
“What?”
Sophia leaned back.
“You didn’t know?”
Of course I didn’t.
“How much?”
“Enough to care who wins.”
I stared.
Ethan had not merely advised Bennett.
He had invested personally.
Using what money?
Our money?
Rebecca was already texting legal.
Sophia continued.
“You should ask him where the capital came from.”
“I will.”
Her smile returned.
“And while you’re asking questions, ask him why he opened a trust in Lily’s name.”
My heart stopped.
“What?”
Sophia’s expression changed slightly.
Almost regret.
Then Erik said sharply,
“That’s enough.”
But it wasn’t.
I leaned forward.
“What trust?”
Sophia looked directly at me.
“A Northstar beneficiary trust.”
My blood went cold.
“Lily is two.”
“Yes.”
“Why would she be a beneficiary?”
May you like
Sophia’s answer came quietly.
“Because Ethan believes your daughter is the legal heir to your father’s controlling option.”
