Chapter 6: The Man Behind the Plan
My father read the message three times.
Each time, his expression became colder.
Rebecca stood frozen beside the doorway.
For once, she didn't have an excuse ready.
No explanation.
No accusation.
No way to turn the blame onto me.
Because the message wasn't from us.
It wasn't something she could manipulate.
It was proof.
“Who is Thomas Voss?”” my father asked.
Rebecca looked away.
“David.””
“Who is he?””
“He's someone I know.””
Richard gave a humorless laugh.
“That is a very small description.””
My father turned.
“You know him?””
Richard nodded.
“Unfortunately.””
The room felt smaller.
I held onto the edge of the desk.
Everything had changed so quickly.
A week ago, my biggest problem was surviving dinner with my stepmother.
Now I was standing in my father's office listening to adults talk about hidden agreements, missing money, and someone who had been watching our family for years.
My father looked at Rebecca.
“Start talking.””
She crossed her arms.
“I don't owe you an explanation for every person who sends me a message.””
“No.””
He held up the phone.
“But you owe me an explanation for why someone who knows about Claire's investigation is telling you to run.””
Rebecca looked at the floor.
That silence hurt more than any confession.
My father noticed.
“So you do know what this is about.””
“I know enough.””
“Then tell me.””
She looked up.
“I was trying to protect us.””
My father shook his head.
“You keep saying that.””
“Because it's true.””
“By lying?””
“By making sure you didn't lose everything.””
Richard stepped forward.
“That's not what she was doing.””
Rebecca turned on him.
“You don't know anything.””
“I know Claire.””
That stopped her.
Richard's voice softened.
“And I know what she was afraid of.””
My father looked at him.
“What was she afraid of?””
Richard hesitated.
Then he opened another folder.
“Your wife believed someone wanted control of Bennett Construction. Not just money. Control.””
He placed several pages on the desk.
“These are records of people who accessed company information before they were authorized.””
My father scanned the names.
Most meant nothing to him.
Then one name caught his attention.
*Rebecca Collins.*
Not Rebecca Bennett.
Before marriage.
My father looked up slowly.
“Collins?””
Rebecca's face changed.
Richard nodded.
“Before she married you, she used her maiden name.””
My father looked at his wife.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
Rebecca didn't answer.
“You said you had no connection to the company before we met.””
“I didn't.””
“Then why was your name in Claire's files?””
Rebecca looked frustrated.
“Because Claire was paranoid.””
Richard shook his head.
“No. Claire was careful.””
My father picked up the document.
“What did Rebecca access?””
Richard pointed.
“Employee records. Financial reports. Property information.””
My father's hands started shaking.
“She had access before she worked here?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
Richard looked at Rebecca.
“She wasn't accessing them as an employee.””
A long silence followed.
Then my father understood.
“You were looking for something.””
Rebecca didn't deny it.
My father took a step back.
“What?””
She looked at him.
“The original agreement.””
The words landed like a confession.
My father's face went blank.
“Why?””
Rebecca swallowed.
“Because I needed to understand what Claire had done.””
“No.””
His voice was barely above a whisper.
“You needed to understand how to get around it.””
Rebecca's eyes filled with anger.
“I deserved a chance.””
“A chance to do what?””
“To have a future.””
My father stared at her.
“You married me for a future?””
She looked away.
“I loved you.””
“But you knew about the company.””
“I knew you were successful.””
“You knew about the trust.””
“I knew Claire protected Lily.””
“You knew everything.””
Rebecca's silence answered him.
I felt something strange.
I had spent years wanting my father to finally see what Rebecca was doing.
Now that he did, I expected to feel victorious.
I didn't.
I just felt tired.
Because the truth hurt.
My father had not only been wrong about Rebecca.
He had built our family around someone who had been hiding a plan.
Rebecca suddenly looked at me.
“You think you've won.””
I didn't respond.
She stepped closer.
“You don't understand anything, Lily.””
My father moved between us.
“Stay away from her.””
Rebecca laughed bitterly.
“You still don't see it.””
“See what?””
“That Claire's trust doesn't just protect Lily.””
She looked at my father.
“It protects the company.””
Richard's expression changed.
“Rebecca.””
But she continued.
“And if Lily owns those shares one day, she controls decisions that affect everything you built.””
My father frowned.
“That was always the point.””
“No.””
Rebecca shook her head.
“That was Claire's point.””
She looked at me.
“But you have no idea what she left behind.””
My stomach tightened.
“What does that mean?””
Rebecca smiled slightly.
A cold smile.
“The trust isn't the only thing your mother created.””
Richard stepped forward.
“Don't.””
But Rebecca ignored him.
“Your mother kept secrets from everyone.””
My father stared.
“What secrets?””
Rebecca looked toward the folder.
“The kind that would change how you see her.””
The room went quiet.
I hated that a part of me believed her.
Because I wanted my mother to be perfect.
Everyone who loses someone young creates a version of them that never makes mistakes.
My mother was my hero.
The thought that she had hidden something scared me.
My father saw my expression.
“Don't listen to her.””
Rebecca looked at him.
“You don't even know what I'm talking about.””
My father didn't answer.
Because he didn't.
A knock suddenly came from the front door.
Everyone froze.
Richard looked toward the hallway.
“Did you invite anyone?””
“No,” my father said.
The knock came again.
Three slow knocks.
Rebecca's face went pale.
My father noticed.
“Who is that?””
She didn't answer.
The third knock came.
Then a man's voice called from outside.
“David Bennett.””
My father walked toward the entrance.
Richard followed.
I stayed behind them.
My father opened the door.
A man in a dark coat stood outside.
He was older, with silver hair and a confident smile.
He looked directly at Rebecca.
Then at my father.
“I'm sorry to arrive without warning.””
My father didn't move.
“Who are you?””
The man extended his hand.
“My name is Thomas Voss.””
Nobody shook it.
His smile faded slightly.
“I believe we need to discuss Claire Bennett.””
My father stepped forward.
“What about my wife?””
Thomas Voss looked past him.
Toward me.
And the next words he said made my entire body go cold.
“Your wife isn't the person who started this.””
He paused.
“She was trying to finish what someone else began.””
My father stared at him.
“Who?””
Thomas Voss looked at the folder containing my mother's final instructions.
Then he said:
“Your wife’s first mistake was believing Claire never discovered the truth.””
May you like
He lowered his voice.
“Her second mistake was believing Lily was the only person Claire was trying to protect.””
