Chapter 4 - THE SIGNATURE
Ethan found the contract in Sophia's office.
It was hidden beneath the false bottom of a desk drawer.
His hands shook as he read it.
A transfer of controlling interest.
The Whitmore estate.
The family trust.
Several private companies.
Everything.
Sophia hadn't planned to steal a few million dollars.
She had planned to take control of everything.
And the document required one signature.
His.
Ethan sat down.
He remembered Sophia's first month of marriage.
Her kindness.
Her patience.
Her tears.
Had any of it been real?
A floorboard creaked behind him.
He turned.
Richard stood in the doorway.
“You found it.”
Ethan nodded.
“I was going to sign this.”
“I know.”
“How?”
“She left a copy in the safe.”
Ethan looked at him.
“You knew?”
“I suspected.”
“Then why didn't you stop me?”
“Because I needed to know how far she would go.”
Ethan stared.
“You used me as bait?”
Richard's face tightened.
“I was trying to protect you.”
“You let me believe you were guilty.”
“I wanted you to discover the truth yourself.”
Ethan looked away.
“You should have told me.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you?”
Richard hesitated.
“Because your mother begged me not to.”
Ethan turned.
“My mother?”
“She knew about Victor.”
“What did she know?”
Richard opened a drawer.
Inside was a letter.
Ethan read it.
His mother's handwriting was unmistakable.
Richard, if Victor's daughter ever comes for the estate, don't fight her. Let her believe she has won. The truth will reveal itself when she opens the Whitmore vault.
Ethan stared.
“What vault?”
Richard smiled sadly.
“The one your grandfather sealed before he died.”
“What's inside?”
“I don't know.”
“Then how did Mom know?”
Richard looked at him.
“Because she helped seal it.”
Ethan's heartbeat quickened.
Suddenly, his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
Sophia's voice came through.
“You found the contract.”
Ethan froze.
“Where are you?”
“Somewhere safe.”
“You framed my father.”
“Yes.”
“You tried to steal my family.”
“No.”
She paused.
“I tried to reclaim what your family stole from mine.”
Ethan's voice hardened.
“You almost destroyed my father.”
“I needed you angry.”
“Why?”
“Because the vault can only be opened by a Whitmore.”
Ethan looked at Richard.
Sophia continued:
“And now I need you to open it.”
The call ended.
May you like
Richard whispered:
“She's going to the estate.”
