Chapter 9 - THE MAN WHO STOLE OUR FAMILY
The documents made one thing clear.
Adrian Vale had not willingly abandoned his children.
He had been threatened.
Forced to sign papers.
And then hidden away under a false identity.
But who had enough power to do that?
Dominic studied the records.
His expression hardened.
“My father.”
I stared at him.
“What?”
Dominic looked toward the window.
“Victor Vale.”
His father.
The former head of the Vale criminal organization.
A man whose reputation had frightened people throughout New York for decades.
He died seven years earlier.
At least, that was what Dominic believed.
Marcus leaned forward.
“Boss, the documents mention Victor's private legal office.”
Dominic nodded grimly.
“He controlled everything.”
I looked at the records.
“Why would he separate three babies?”
Dominic hesitated.
“Because Adrian tried to leave the family business.”
My stomach tightened.
“He wanted out?”
“Yes.”
Dominic stared at the photograph.
“My uncle believed the organization was becoming too dangerous. He wanted to expose several illegal operations and start over.”
“And Victor stopped him?”
“Apparently.”
I felt anger rise.
My father had wanted to protect us.
And someone had punished him by stealing his children.
Then Dominic found another document.
A private agreement.
Signed by Victor Vale.
Daniel Cross.
And an unfamiliar woman.
Margaret Sinclair.
Marcus frowned.
“I know that name.”
Dominic looked up.
“Who?”
“She runs the Vale Family Foundation.”
My stomach tightened.
“The charity?”
“Yes.”
I thought about the elegant woman I'd seen at the mansion twice.
Silver hair.
Perfect posture.
A smile that never reached her eyes.
She'd barely acknowledged me.
Now I wondered whether she'd known exactly who I was.
Dominic contacted his attorney.
Within hours, investigators began reviewing the foundation's financial records.
Large payments had been made to Hawthorne Wellness Institute.
Every month.
For nearly thirty years.
The payments were authorized through accounts connected to Margaret Sinclair.
I stared at the numbers.
“She was paying to keep our father there?”
Dominic nodded slowly.
“It looks that way.”
Then Marcus discovered something else.
A recent transfer.
Amount: $500,000.
Recipient: Daniel Cross.
Date: yesterday.
My stomach tightened.
“The dead lawyer.”
Dominic's jaw hardened.
“Someone is moving money.”
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
A woman's voice spoke.
“Dominic.”
His face changed.
“Margaret.”
I felt cold.
She laughed softly.
“I hear you've been entertaining a very talented housekeeper.”
Dominic's voice was controlled.
“What do you want?”
“To remind you that some family secrets should remain buried.”
I stepped closer.
Margaret continued.
“Your little singer has a beautiful voice.”
My hands began shaking.
“Where's Isabella?” Dominic demanded.
A pause.
May you like
Then Margaret answered:
“Ask Rachel why her mother really died.”
