Chapter 10 - THE ACCIDENT THAT DESTROYED MY FAMILY
My father's death had haunted me for ten years.
Now I was learning the investigation into his accident might have been compromised.
Robert Mercer died after falling from a maintenance platform at a Calder-owned property.
The report cited equipment failure.
No criminal charges followed.
My mother received a small settlement.
Then we struggled.
She worked nights.
I took part-time jobs.
And when she became ill, our savings disappeared.
By the time I married Mason, I'd promised myself I would never depend on a wealthy company for anything.
Yet there I was.
Working at The Meridian Room.
Living paycheck to paycheck.
And discovering that the company connected to Dad's death might also have been mishandling money intended to help employees.
I felt sick.
Rebecca reviewed the old investigation.
The maintenance platform had been inspected shortly before the accident.
But the inspection documentation contained inconsistencies.
One signature appeared on a day the inspector was out of state.
Another report listed replacement equipment that hadn't been delivered.
My stomach tightened.
"Was Dad's death preventable?"
Rebecca answered carefully.
"The findings justify further review. We can't determine causation from these records alone."
I nodded.
I wanted the truth.
Even if it hurt.
Detective Morgan joined the investigation after auditors identified possible falsified safety documents and financial misconduct.
Former employees were interviewed.
One remembered Robert complaining about missing safety equipment.
Another recalled Charles Price pressuring contractors to complete renovations quickly.
Then investigators found a payment.
Issued three days after Dad died.
From a Calder-related company to a private consulting firm.
The memo read:
MERCER MATTER — FINAL RESOLUTION.
My hands shook.
"Was that money paid to my mother?"
Rebecca shook her head.
"No."
I stared.
"Then who received it?"
She checked the records.
"Price Strategic Solutions."
Charles Price's company.
The room went silent.
I covered my mouth.
For years, I'd believed Dad was simply unlucky.
Now I was learning his death had been followed by suspicious payments.
But I didn't want to jump to conclusions.
I wanted investigators to establish what happened.
Then Alexander requested a meeting.
He looked exhausted.
"Lily, I owe you an apology."
I stared.
"For what?"
"For what happened to your father."
I shook my head.
"You weren't running the company then."
His expression tightened.
"No. But I inherited systems I should have questioned."
I looked down.
He continued.
"I can't bring Robert back."
My eyes filled.
"But I can help ensure the records are reviewed properly."
I nodded.
"Then do that."
He smiled sadly.
"I will."
That evening, I returned home to Mason.
He was sitting at the kitchen table with a stack of job applications.
When he saw my face, he stood.
"Lily?"
I broke down.
He wrapped his arms around me.
For a long time, I couldn't speak.
Then I told him everything.
The trust.
Dad's letter.
The safety records.
The suspicious payment.
Mason listened.
Then whispered, "Your dad was trying to protect people."
I nodded through tears.
"He was."
Mason kissed my forehead.
"And so are you."
For the first time, I allowed myself to feel proud.
Not because I'd stood up to Vanessa.
Not because a billionaire noticed.
But because I'd refused to treat someone as less human simply because he wore a worn coat.
Then my phone rang.
Rebecca.
Her voice sounded urgent.
"Lily, we found another document."
My stomach tightened.
"What?"
"A letter from Evelyn Calder."
"To whom?"
Rebecca hesitated.
"Your father."
I stopped breathing.
May you like
Then she read the final sentence.
ROBERT, IF YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT CHARLES PRICE, OUR OWN FAMILY MAY BE INVOLVED.
