Chapter 6 - THE BOY THEY TRIED TO BUY
Noah Carter had always been the clever one in the family.
At seventeen, he could repair computers, build small robots, and solve mathematics problems that made Emma's head hurt.
But he was also trusting.
Especially when someone offered to help him afford college.
That was why Sophia Bell's visit frightened Emma so much.
The woman had arrived with a beautiful brochure.
A scholarship.
Medical support.
Private tutoring.
Everything Noah needed.
In return, he was supposed to sign a consent form allowing the program to review his health records and financial information.
Emma stared at the copied documents.
"Why would Sophia be interested in my brother?"
Luca looked toward Rebecca.
"Can you trace the program?"
Rebecca nodded.
"The scholarship organization was created four months ago."
"Who funds it?"
"Bennett Medical Holdings."
Luca felt his jaw tighten.
Another Bennett connection.
Every road led back to the same company.
Emma rubbed her forehead.
"This makes no sense."
Luca looked at her.
"Why?"
"We're nobody."
He studied her.
"What do you mean?"
"My grandmother lives on Social Security. Noah goes to public school. I clean houses."
Her voice cracked.
"Why would wealthy people go to so much trouble to hurt us?"
Luca didn't have an answer.
Not yet.
Then Rebecca opened another file.
"Emma, what was your mother's maiden name?"
Emma looked surprised.
"Whitmore."
Rebecca went still.
"Whitmore?"
Emma nodded.
"Yes."
Luca looked toward her.
"Why?"
Rebecca turned her laptop.
A photograph appeared.
A distinguished older man stood outside a Manhattan office tower.
His name was printed beneath the image.
EDWARD WHITMORE.
Luca recognized him.
"He's the founder of Whitmore Capital."
Rebecca nodded.
"He died twelve years ago."
Emma frowned.
"What's that got to do with me?"
Rebecca took a breath.
"Edward Whitmore had a daughter named Margaret."
Emma stared.
"My mother's name was Margaret."
The room became silent.
Rebecca continued.
"Margaret disappeared from public records after marrying a man named Thomas Carter."
Emma's hands trembled.
"That's my father."
Luca leaned forward.
Rebecca looked at Emma.
"Your mother was Edward Whitmore's daughter."
Emma shook her head.
"No. My mom worked as a nurse."
"She may have chosen to live privately."
Emma stared at the photograph.
Her mother had died when Noah was six.
She had never spoken about wealthy relatives.
Never mentioned a trust fund.
Never acted as though she came from money.
Rebecca opened another document.
"Edward Whitmore established trusts for his grandchildren."
Emma felt sick.
"What grandchildren?"
Rebecca looked directly at her.
"You and Noah."
Luca's expression changed.
"How much?"
Rebecca took a breath.
"The original trust was valued at twenty-six million dollars."
Emma stared.
"That's impossible."
Rebecca shook her head.
"There's more."
She turned another page.
"The trust administrator was Martin Bell."
Sophia's father.
The same man connected to Adrian's disappearance.
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And now Emma understood why Sophia wanted her brother's signature.
Someone had been trying to steal their inheritance.
