Chapter five: The Finding
456 Words
Lily's POV
Three weeks of silence! We lived like ghosts, passed each other in the penthouse and didn't speak unless cameras were around.
In the mornings he left early, came back late and ate in his wing.
I did the same.
Public appearances were hell, all the smiles, held hands, and we played the part perfectly well.
Then I came home, with separate wings and locked doors. Nothing more.
It is a cold routine and a safe routine at it.
But I couldn't stop thinking about what he said.
Dad wanted to sell, he contacted Lucas and maybe Lucas could've saved him.
Maybe.
I started my own digging. I called Dad's old business partner. Robert Chen, Marcus's uncle.
"Lily Bennett." His voice was warm on the phone. "Been too long."
"Need to ask you something. About Dad, before he died."
Silence and then he said: "Come to my office, tomorrow. Please come alone."
His office was small, which is in downtown Manchester, with nothing fancy.
Robert looked older, he had gray hair and tired eyes.
"Your father was a good man."
"I know," I replied instantly.
"Julian Blackwood is not." he added.
"I know that too."
He poured tea, his hands shaking slightly. "What do you want to know?"
"Dad contacted Lucas Hayes before he died, about selling Bennett Holdings. You know anything about that?" Curiously I asked him.
Robert's face changed. "Lucas Hayes tried to help your father."
"Help him how?"
"Orton was drowning. Julian had him boxed in, every deal falling apart. Every partnership turns toxic." Robert sipped his tea. "Your father reached out to Hayes, asked if he'd consider a partnership. Not a buyout. Partnership."
"What happened?"
"Hayes was interested. Said he'd look into it, but he was overseas. Negotiations took time." Robert's voice dropped. "By the time he came back, your father was dead. Heart attack brought on by stress. Stress Julian caused."
Stomach twisted. "So Lucas didn't betray Dad."
"No. If anything, he tried to save him. Just ran out of time."
Left his office. Head spinning.
Lucas wasn't the enemy. Julian was.
But Lucas hid it. Didn't tell me.
Why?
Got home. Penthouse empty. Lucas is still at work.
Went to my wing. Started going through everything I'd collected. Documents. Articles. Dad's old files.
Found something.
Email. Dated five years ago. From Hayes Digital Empire to Bennett Holdings.
Subject: Proposed Merger Discussion.
I opened it.
Lucas's company proposed a merger. Bennett Holdings and Hayes Digital. Equal partnership. Mutual benefits.
Dad declined. Wrote back: "Not ready to share control yet. But thank you for the offer."
Five years ago, Lucas tried helping. Dad said no.
Pride probably. Dad was always proud.
Then three years later, when everything was f
alling apart...
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