Chapter 18: The Missing Children’s Fund
Thomas Bennett had created trusts for twelve vulnerable children.
Eleven had vanished from the official records.
The money, nearly two hundred million dollars, had been moved through companies connected to Victoria and Owen Mercer.
“Lily discovered it when she volunteered at the foundation,” Mara explained.
“She was seventeen,” Daniel said.
“And brave enough to copy the records.”
Claire finally understood why her father had trusted Lily.
They had been working together.
Thomas planned to expose the theft.
Then he died.
Lily hid the remaining evidence and spent years pretending she knew nothing.
“Why create a trust for Ethan?” Claire asked.
“Thomas did not create it for Ethan specifically. He created a recovery fund for the child of the person who finished his work.”
“Lily.”
Mara nodded.
“When Ethan was born, the fund transferred to him.”
Daniel looked toward the road.
“And Owen is his father.”
“Yes.”
Claire felt sick.
“Did Owen know Lily was investigating him?”
“Not at first.”
“What changed?”
“Victoria told him.”
Mara explained that Lily had tried to contact Owen before her crash. She believed he might help protect Ethan.
Instead, Owen informed Victoria.
Daniel punched the side of his car.
Claire placed a hand on his shoulder.
“We need the archive.”
Mara gave Claire an access card.
The old foundation building was scheduled for demolition the next morning.
At midnight, they entered through a basement door.
The halls smelled of dust and mold.
Claire remembered visiting as a child.
Her father’s office remained on the third floor.
Inside, Ethan walked directly toward an old wooden bookshelf.
“Mommy showed me this.”
He pulled a red book.
The shelf moved.
Behind it was a steel door.
Claire used the brass key.
The door opened.
The archive was empty.
May you like
Except for a chair.
Victoria sat waiting for them.
