Chapter18
423 Words
CHAPTER 18— THE FAMILY SECRET
Clara had never met her father’s older brother.
She had been told he died before she was born.
His name was Daniel Eldridge.
But the records showed something else.
Daniel Eldridge had disappeared twenty-eight years earlier.
He had not died.
He had changed his identity.
He had built companies across three continents.
And he had become one of the wealthiest private investors in the world.
Marcus finally admitted the truth.
“Your father and Daniel built the original network.”
Clara stared at him.
“And Richard?”
“Richard was their financial architect.”
“Then who created Nightfall?”
Marcus looked at her.
“Daniel.”
Clara’s voice dropped.
“Why?”
“Control.”
The word echoed through the room.
“Your father eventually wanted out. Your mother discovered the truth. Daniel would not allow either of them to leave.”
Clara closed her eyes.
“And Julian?”
Marcus answered quietly.
“Julian was recruited because Daniel needed someone close to you.”
Clara’s eyes opened.
“He married me because of the money.”
“No.”
Marcus shook his head.
“He married you because of your inheritance
Clara finally understood.
The marriage.
The financial transfers.
The fire.
The attempted murder.
The shell companies.
Everything had been designed to take control of the Eldridge estate.
But one question remained.
“Why did they not kill me?”
Alexander looked at the final document.
“Because you are the last legal heir.”
Clara stared at him.
“What happens if I die?”
“The entire estate transfers.”
“To whom?”
Alexander turned the document around.
The beneficiary was listed clearly.
DANIEL ELDRIDGE.
Clara sat back.
For years, she had thought Julian wanted her money.
He had not.
He wanted her signature.
And Daniel wanted everything.
The mansion.
The companies.
The accounts.
The trusts.
The inheritance.
The entire Eldridge empire.
Then Clara noticed one final line.
TRANSFER DATE: OCTOBER 14.
Tomorrow.
She looked at Alexander.
“We have twenty-four hours.”
Marcus stood.
“Then we finish this tonight.”
Clara closed the file.
“No.”
They looked at her.
“We do not finish it.”
She picked up the photograph.
“We expose it.”
Outside, thunder rolled across the city.
Somewhere in the darkness, Daniel Eldridge was waiting.
And for the first time, Clara knew exactly who she was fighting.
Not a husband.
Not a lawyer.
Not a businessman.
Her own blood.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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