Chapter 2 - THE MILLIONAIRE FATHER SHE NEVER KNEW
Imani stared at Rebecca Mercer.
For six years, she had believed her father was someone her mother simply didn't talk about.
Now a stranger was telling her that he had died less than two weeks earlier.
And that he'd been married to Naomi Barrett.
"That's not true," Imani whispered.
Lorraine knelt beside her.
"Baby, we need to understand what's happening."
Imani looked at her caregiver.
"Did you know?"
The question pierced Lorraine's heart.
"I knew your mother had someone important in her life before you were born."
"Was it my daddy?"
Lorraine hesitated.
"I never knew his full name, sweetheart."
Rebecca listened quietly.
Then she opened another document.
"Daniel and Naomi married privately eleven years ago. They separated shortly before Imani was born."
"Why?" Lorraine demanded.
Rebecca's expression tightened.
"That's part of what Daniel wanted explained."
Outside, a ground vehicle waited near the aircraft.
The airline had delayed departure while security addressed Gerald's removal and the unusual legal alert.
Passengers began asking questions.
One man complained that he would miss his connection.
Another demanded compensation.
But Captain Reynolds remained firm.
The child would not be forced to sacrifice her assigned seat simply because a grown man refused to follow the rules.
Gerald was escorted off the aircraft.
As he passed Imani, he stopped.
For a moment, the cruel expression returned.
"You think you're special now?"
Lorraine immediately stepped between them.
"Don't speak to her."
Gerald gave a bitter laugh.
"That little girl has no idea what's coming."
Rebecca turned.
"Gerald, one more word and I'll ask security to document it for the court."
His smile disappeared.
Then he was gone.
Imani watched the door.
"Why does he hate me?"
Rebecca's eyes softened.
"He doesn't know you, sweetheart."
"Then why was he mean?"
Rebecca crouched.
"Sometimes adults do terrible things because they're afraid of losing something they never deserved."
Imani considered that.
Then she looked toward the empty window seat.
"Can I still sit there?"
Captain Reynolds smiled.
"Of course you can."
Kimberly helped Imani settle into 3A.
Lorraine took 3B.
Rebecca remained near the front of the cabin while the crew completed the necessary procedures.
Before leaving, she handed Lorraine a sealed document pouch.
"This contains instructions from Whitmore & Hale. Please read it somewhere private."
Lorraine frowned.
"What is Daniel Mercer's connection to that law firm?"
"His estate."
"How large an estate?"
Rebecca hesitated.
"Daniel was a successful technology entrepreneur."
Lorraine waited.
"He founded Mercer Aerospace Systems."
The name sounded familiar.
Then Lorraine remembered seeing it on the news.
A company that designed aviation technology, navigation equipment, and airport safety systems.
She slowly looked toward Imani.
"How successful?"
Rebecca answered quietly.
"His personal estate is estimated at approximately three billion dollars."
Lorraine nearly dropped the pouch.
Three billion.
Imani was still admiring the view from her window.
She knew nothing about financial empires.
Or inherited wealth.
Or the powerful people who might suddenly want access to her life.
She only knew she'd finally gotten her seat.
Rebecca stepped closer to Lorraine.
"There's something else."
"What?"
"Daniel didn't simply leave money to Imani."
Lorraine felt cold.
"What did he leave?"
Rebecca lowered her voice.
"Controlling ownership rights in Mercer Aerospace Systems, held in trust until she reaches adulthood."
Lorraine stared.
"And Gerald?"
Rebecca's expression darkened.
"Gerald Whitford is the company's acting chief executive officer."
The cabin seemed to tilt.
May you like
Then Rebecca delivered the warning that changed everything.
"He's also the man who tried to convince the court that Imani Barrett doesn't exist."
