Chapter 12 - THE SECRET BEHIND HIS FATHER'S DEATH
Ethan stared at his mother.
Richard Sullivan had died seven years earlier.
Officially, from complications following a stroke.
Ethan had accepted it.
He had been busy expanding Sullivan Group.
His mother handled the medical arrangements.
The funeral.
The estate.
Everything.
Now she was sitting in his office implying she'd silenced his father.
"What did you do?" Ethan asked.
Victoria smiled thinly.
"Don't be dramatic."
He stepped closer.
"You just said you made sure he never spoke about Claire."
"I protected the family."
Ethan felt cold.
"Answer me."
Victoria's expression hardened.
"Your father wanted to give Claire money. He wanted to acknowledge the pregnancy and investigate what happened."
Ethan's breathing changed.
"And?"
"I stopped him."
"How?"
Victoria looked away.
For the first time, she seemed uncertain.
Then she said:
"I arranged for him to be placed under private medical supervision."
Ethan stared.
"Without his consent?"
"He was ill."
"That isn't an answer."
She stood.
"Ethan, everything I did was for you."
He shook his head.
"No."
His voice was barely audible.
"You did it for control."
Victoria's face changed.
Then Ethan said something she'd never expected.
"Get out."
She stared.
"What?"
"Leave my office."
"Ethan—"
"And do not contact Claire or the children."
Victoria looked furious.
"You can't cut your own mother out of your life."
He held her gaze.
"Watch me."
She left.
For several minutes, Ethan stood alone.
Then he called Lucas.
And told him everything.
The investigation into Richard Sullivan's final years expanded.
Medical records were reviewed.
Former caregivers were interviewed.
Financial transactions examined.
The evidence suggested serious misconduct involving the management of Richard's care and estate.
Whether every allegation could be proven remained uncertain.
But one fact became clear.
Richard had repeatedly attempted to contact Claire after learning his grandchildren were alive.
Those communications had been intercepted.
Ethan read copies of the letters.
His father's handwriting.
Claire,
I know my family has treated you terribly.
Please let me help.
Another letter followed.
I would like to meet the children when you're ready.
And a third.
They deserve to know they have family who wants them.
Ethan began crying.
For seven years, he'd believed his father never knew about the twins.
Now he understood Richard had tried to reach them.
And Victoria had prevented it.
Claire read the letters that evening.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Not for the money.
Not for the inheritance.
But for the grandfather Noah and Sophie had never met.
She looked toward Ethan.
"He wanted them."
Ethan nodded through tears.
"Yes."
For the first time, she saw grief in his eyes that wasn't about himself.
He was mourning the relationship his father had been denied.
Then Lucas called.
His voice was urgent.
"Claire, the financial investigation found something."
She looked up.
"What?"
"Victoria's succession plan wasn't complete."
Claire frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Lucas took a breath.
"There's an unsigned final agreement."
"Between whom?"
"Victoria and a private investment firm."
Claire's stomach tightened.
Lucas continued.
"The agreement would transfer controlling interests in Sullivan Group if Ethan were declared incapable of managing the company."
Ethan stood.
"What?"
Lucas lowered his voice.
"And there's evidence someone planned to trigger that provision."
Claire stared.
May you like
Then Ethan whispered:
"My mother wasn't only trying to erase my children. She was preparing to take my company away from me."
