Chapter 12: The Daughter Everyone Wanted
Marcus moved instantly.
He stepped between the man and Nia.
“No.””
The man stopped.
“I understand why you don’t trust me.””
“You’re right.””
“I’m not proud of what I did.””
Marcus’s eyes narrowed.
“You worked for him.””
“Yes.””
“You helped them.””
The man looked down.
“Yes.””
“Then why should I believe anything you say?””
The man accepted the anger.
“Because I know what Richard is planning.””
The officer stepped closer.
“Start explaining.””
The man nodded.
“My name is Aaron Blake.””
Marcus searched his memory.
The name sounded familiar.
Then he remembered.
Aaron had worked with Daniel years ago.
A financial consultant.
Someone who disappeared after Elena’s accident.
“You were part of it.””
Aaron nodded.
“I was.””
Elena looked at him.
“Why?””
Aaron looked ashamed.
“Because I thought it was just financial fraud.””
Marcus stared.
“And then?””
“Then I realized Richard wasn’t trying to steal your company.””
Aaron looked at Nia.
“He was trying to control the future.””
Nobody spoke.
The officer crossed his arms.
“Explain.””
Aaron took a breath.
“Richard had been searching for a way to gain access to Elena’s family trust.””
Elena frowned.
“My family trust?””
Aaron nodded.
“Your father created it before he died.””
Marcus looked at Elena.
“What does this have to do with Nia?””
Aaron answered quietly:
“Everything.””
Elena went still.
“My father’s trust was designed to protect his descendants.””
“Yes.””
“And?””
Aaron looked at Marcus.
“Nia is the last legal heir.””
Marcus understood.
Money.
Power.
Control.
Everything came back to the child.
His daughter.
Aaron continued.
“Richard couldn’t access the trust while Elena was alive.””
“So he wanted Elena gone.””
“Yes.””
“And when that failed?””
Aaron looked at Vanessa’s documents.
“He needed control of Nia.””
Marcus felt anger rising.
A child.
Everything had always been about a child.
Not because they loved her.
Because they wanted what she represented.
Nia stepped forward.
“So they wanted me because of money?””
Everyone became quiet.
Marcus looked at her.
He hated that she heard.
Elena immediately walked toward her.
“No, sweetheart.””
Nia looked hurt.
“Then why?””
Elena knelt.
“Because some people see things as possessions.””
She touched Nia’s hand.
“But you are not a thing.””
Marcus joined them.
“You are my daughter.””
Elena smiled through tears.
“And mine.””
For the first time, Nia looked between them.
Not confused.
Not afraid.
Just overwhelmed.
Then Aaron spoke again.
“There’s more.””
Marcus looked up.
“What?””
Aaron hesitated.
“Richard knew Elena survived.””
The room froze.
“What?””
“He knew.””
Elena stood.
“How?””
Aaron looked at her.
“Because he was the one who arranged your disappearance.””
Marcus stared.
“Explain.””
Aaron sighed.
“After the accident, Richard convinced Vanessa that Elena was a problem. He told her if Elena disappeared, everyone would benefit.””
Elena looked sick.
“He used her.””
“Yes.””
Aaron nodded.
“Vanessa thought she was controlling the situation.””
Marcus looked toward the evidence files.
“But she was being controlled.””
“Exactly.””
The pieces finally connected.
Vanessa wasn’t the mastermind.
She was desperate.
Dangerous.
But still a pawn.
Then Aaron reached into his jacket.
Marcus immediately reacted.
“What are you doing?””
Aaron slowly removed a small flash drive.
“I took this from Richard.””
The officer took it.
“What is it?””
“Everything.””
He looked at Marcus.
“His plans. Payments. Names.””
Marcus stared.
“Why bring it now?””
Aaron looked toward Nia.
“Because I have a daughter too.””
The answer surprised Marcus.
Aaron continued.
“And if someone had done this to my child…”
He stopped.
Marcus understood.
The officer connected the drive.
Files appeared.
Hundreds.
Documents.
Videos.
Audio recordings.
Then one folder opened automatically.
A video file.
Created yesterday.
Everyone stared.
The officer clicked play.
Richard Vale appeared on screen.
Older.
Calm.
Confident.
And sitting beside him…
Was Vanessa.
Marcus felt his stomach drop.
Because Vanessa wasn’t afraid.
She wasn’t being forced.
She was smiling.
Richard looked into the camera.
“If you are watching this, then Marcus finally discovered the truth.””
He smiled.
“Good.””
Vanessa looked at him.
“Are you sure this is necessary?””
Richard nodded.
“After everything we did, there is only one way this ends.””
Marcus leaned closer.
The recording continued.
Richard’s next words made Elena cover her mouth.
“Once Marcus realizes Elena betrayed him…”
Silence.
“What?””
The video continued.
“…he will lose the only person protecting Nia.””
Marcus froze.
Elena whispered:
“Betrayed him?””
Richard smiled.
“Because the truth is…”
The screen flickered.
Then his final sentence played.
“Elena wasn’t just hiding from Vanessa.””
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A pause.
“She was hiding what she did to Marcus.””
