Chapter 9: The## Chapter 9: The Last Ashford Last Ashford Secret
Nobody moved.
The recording continued to hiss through the small speakers.
My mother's voice came first Secret
Nobody moved.
The recording continued to hiss through the small speakers.
My mother's voice came first.
"She's a child. You cannot punish her for something she hasn't done.""
Then a man's voice answered.
"She.
"She's a child. You cannot punish her for something she hasn't done.""
Then a man's voice answered.
"She is the only thing standing between this family and its future.""
Adrian looked as though he might collapse.
Julian approached the recording device.
"Play it again.""
Margaret pressed is the only thing standing between this family and its future.""
Adrian looked as though he might collapse.
Julian approached the recording device.
"Play it again.""
Margaret pressed the button.
The man's voice returned.
"If Clara survives, the entire arrangement fails.""
Then came a second voice.
Victoria.
"What about Susan?""
The man laughed.
the button.
The man's voice returned.
"If Clara survives, the entire arrangement fails.""
Then came a second voice.
Victoria.
"What about Susan?""
The man laughed.
"She knows too much.""
My stomach turned.
I looked at the recording device.
"Who is that man?""
Adrian closed his eyes.
"Our father.""
Julian shook his head.
"Our"She knows too much.""
My stomach turned.
I looked at the recording device.
"Who is that man?""
Adrian closed his eyes.
"Our father.""
Julian shook his head.
"Our father died twenty years ago.""
"That's what we were told.""
"Stop saying that!""
Julian's voice echoed through the chapel.
Adrian lowered his head.
"I found out the father died twenty years ago.""
"That's what we were told.""
"Stop saying that!""
Julian's voice echoed through the chapel.
Adrian lowered his head.
"I found out the truth three years after the funeral. Father had staged his death to escape a criminal investigation involving the family business. He transferred control truth three years after the funeral.
Father had staged his death to escape a criminal investigation involving the family business. He transferred control of several companies through offshore accounts and disappeared.""
Margaret stared at him.
"You're saying the former chairman of Ashford Industries faked his death?""
"Yes.""
"Do you have proof?""
Adrian pointed toward the metal box of several companies through offshore accounts and disappeared.""
Margaret stared at him.
"You're saying the former chairman of Ashford Industries faked his death?""
"Yes.""
"Do you have proof?""
Adrian pointed toward the metal box.
"Everything is there.""
Margaret removed a thick folder.
Inside were bank statements, company registrations, correspondence, and photographs.
One photograph showed an older man standing outside a.
"Everything is there.""
Margaret removed a thick folder.
Inside were bank statements, company registrations, correspondence, and photographs.
One photograph showed an older man standing outside a private villa.
He wore a white shirt and dark trousers.
His hair was silver.
But his face was unmistakable.
Julian's father.
"Where was this taken?"" Julian asked.
"Switzerland," Adrian replied.
"Four years ago private villa.
He wore a white shirt and dark trousers.
His hair was silver.
But his face was unmistakable.
Julian's father.
"Where was this taken?"" Julian asked.
"Switzerland," Adrian replied.
"Four years ago.""
"Have you seen him recently?""
Adrian hesitated.
"Six months ago.""
"Where?""
"At the same property.""
Julian stared at him.
"And you didn't tell me?""
"I was afraid.""
.""
"Have you seen him recently?""
Adrian hesitated.
"Six months ago.""
"Where?""
"At the same property.""
Julian stared at him.
"And you didn't tell me?""
"I was afraid.""
"Of him?""
Adrian looked toward the recording device.
"Of what he would do if I told you.""
I felt Lily's hand"Of him?""
Adrian looked toward the recording device.
"Of what he would do if I told you.""
I felt Lily's hand tighten around mine.
"Mommy, can we go home now?""
I crouched and brushed the hair away from her forehead.
"Yes, sweetheart. Very soon.""
She looked at tighten around mine.
"Mommy, can we go home now?""
I crouched and brushed the hair away from her forehead.
"Yes, sweetheart. Very soon.""
She looked at the men.
"Why are they angry?""
I swallowed.
"Because some grown-ups make very bad decisions.""
She considered that.
"Like when I broke your favorite mug?""
Despite everything the men.
"Why are they angry?""
I swallowed.
"Because some grown-ups make very bad decisions.""
She considered that.
"Like when I broke your favorite mug?""
Despite everything, I almost smiled.
"Much worse than that.""
A detective approached Adrian.
"Mr. Ashford, you're coming with us.""
Adrian didn't resist.
But as the officers, I almost smiled.
"Much worse than that.""
A detective approached Adrian.
"Mr. Ashford, you're coming with us.""
Adrian didn't resist.
But as the officers took his arms, he turned toward me.
"Clara.""
I looked at him.
"Your mother is in danger.""
"Where is she?""
"Victoria has been looking for her for years took his arms, he turned toward me.
"Clara.""
I looked at him.
"Your mother is in danger.""
"Where is she?""
"Victoria has been looking for her for years. She knows Susan has the original recording.""
I held up the device.
"Then why did you say my mother had it?""
". She knows Susan has the original recording.""
I held up the device.
"Then why did you say my mother had it?""
"Because this isn't the original.""
Margaret stopped sortingBecause this isn't the original.""
Margaret stopped sorting through the documents.
"What?""
Adrian pointed to the device through the documents.
"What?""
Adrian pointed to the device.
"This is a copy. The original contains another recording.""
"What recording?""
He looked at Julian.
"The conversation between Victoria and your father on the night of Eleanor's supposed death.""
Julian went still.
Eleanor had not come with us to the chapel.
She had remained at Ashford Manor with the security team.
But her name alone was enough to change the atmosphere.
"Was.
"This is a copy. The original contains another recording.""
"What recording?""
He looked at Julian.
"The conversation between Victoria and your father on the night of Eleanor's supposed death.""
Julian went still.
Eleanor had not come with us to the chapel.
She had remained at Ashford Manor with the security team.
But her name alone was enough to change the atmosphere.
"Was Eleanor's death arranged?"" Julian asked.
Adrian nodded.
"Victoria wanted her out of the way because she had discovered the trust documents.""
Julian grabbed his brother Eleanor's death arranged?"" Julian asked.
Adrian nodded.
"Victoria wanted her out of the way because she had discovered the trust documents.""
Julian grabbed his brother's coat.
"Did you know?""
Adrian didn't resist.
"Yes.""
Julian's fist tightened.
"Did you help her?""
's coat.
"Did you know?""
Adrian didn't resist.
"Yes.""
Julian's fist tightened.
"Did you help her?""
"I helped arrange the false funeral.""
For a moment, I thought Julian was going to hit him.
Instead, he released him.
"You let me mourn my wife.""
Adrian looked down.
"I know.""
"You let me believe she was"I helped arrange the false funeral.""
For a moment, I thought Julian was going to hit him.
Instead, he released him.
"You let me mourn my wife.""
Adrian looked down.
"I know.""
"You let me believe she was dead.""
"I know.""
"You let me spend fourteen months believing I had dead.""
"I know.""
"You let me spend fourteen months believing I had lost everything.""
Adrian's voice cracked.
"I'm sorry.""
Julian stepped backward.
"Don't ask me for forgiveness.""
The officers led Adrian away.
Victor followed, accompanied by a detective.
Before he left, he lost everything.""
Adrian's voice cracked.
"I'm sorry.""
Julian stepped backward.
"Don't ask me for forgiveness.""
The officers led Adrian away.
Victor followed, accompanied by a detective.
Before he left, he approached Julian.
"There's something you should know about the gala.""
Julian looked at him.
"Go on.""
"Victoria didn't operate the wheelchair mechanism herself.""
"What?""
"She gave approached Julian.
"There's something you should know about the gala.""
Julian looked at him.
"Go on.""
"Victoria didn't operate the wheelchair mechanism herself.""
"What?""
"She gave me the signal. I activated the remote.""
Julian's expression became murderous.
"You nearly killed me.""
Victor looked at the floor.
"Yes.""
" me the signal. I activated the remote.""
Julian's expression became murderous.
"You nearly killed me.""
Victor looked at the floor.
"Yes.""
"Why?""
"Because she promised me the rehabilitation clinic. She said you would be permanently removed from the company, and I would have everything I needed to continue my research.""
JulWhy?""
"Because she promised me the rehabilitation clinic. She said you would be permanently removed from the company, and I would have everything I needed to continue my research.""
Julian stared at him.
"Research?""
Victor swallowed.
"Your medical records were altered. Your treatment was manipulated. But you were never as incapacitated as they wantedian stared at him.
"Research?""
Victor swallowed.
"Your medical records were altered. Your treatment was manipulated. But you were never as incapacitated as they wanted everyone to believe.""
Margaret frowned.
"Explain.""
" everyone to believe.""
Margaret frowned.
"Explain.""
"Victoria wanted to establish that Julian was incapable of making financial decisions. The more dependent he appeared, the easier it became to transfer control of his assets.""
I remembered Julian sitting in the ballroom.
The way people spoke over him.
The way Victoria hadVictoria wanted to establish that Julian was incapable of making financial decisions. The more dependent he appeared, the easier it became to transfer control of his assets.""
I remembered Julian sitting in the ballroom.
The way people spoke over him.
The way Victoria had dismissed him.
"Did you deliberately give him the wrong treatment?"" I asked.
Victor looked at me.
"Some of it.""
"How could you?""
He had no answer.
The detective escorted him away.
Julian remained standing in the chapel.
For a long moment, he looked at dismissed him.
"Did you deliberately give him the wrong treatment?"" I asked.
Victor looked at me.
"Some of it.""
"How could you?""
He had no answer.
The detective escorted him away.
Julian remained standing in the chapel.
For a long moment, he looked at the floor.
Then he turned toward me.
"Let's go home.""
I nodded.
But the word home felt strange.
My apartment had been broken into.
My mother might the floor.
Then he turned toward me.
"Let's go home.""
I nodded.
But the word home felt strange.
My apartment had been broken into.
My mother might be alive.
My biological father was a man I had known for eight months without understanding who he was.
And apparently, I be alive.
My biological father was a man I had known for eight months without understanding who he was.
And apparently, I had inherited a fortune from a family whose members seemed determined to destroy one another.
There was only one place I wanted to be had inherited a fortune from a family whose members seemed determined to destroy one another.
There was only one place I wanted to be.
With Lily.
We returned to Ashford Manor just before sunset.
Eleanor was waiting in the library.
The moment she saw Lily, she rushed forward.
"Sweet.
With Lily.
We returned to Ashford Manor just before sunset.
Eleanor was waiting in the library.
The moment she saw Lily, she rushed forward.
"Sweetheart!""
Lily stepped behind my leg.
Eleanor stopped.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you.""
Lily looked at her.
"Are you Grandma's friend?""
Eleanor smiled.
"Yesheart!""
Lily stepped behind my leg.
Eleanor stopped.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you.""
Lily looked at her.
"Are you Grandma's friend?""
Eleanor smiled.
"Yes. I was.""
"Did you know my mummy when she was little?""
"I did.""
Lily considered. I was.""
"Did you know my mummy when she was little?""
"I did.""
Lily considered her.
"Was she naughty?""
Eleanor laughed.
"Very.""
I raised an eyebrow.
"Excuse me?""
"She once put a frog her.
"Was she naughty?""
Eleanor laughed.
"Very.""
I raised an eyebrow.
"Excuse me?""
"She once put a frog in my handbag.""
Lily burst into laughter.
I stared at Eleanor.
"My mother did that?""
"Three frogs, actually.""
For the first time that day, I smiled without forcing it in my handbag.""
Lily burst into laughter.
I stared at Eleanor.
"My mother did that?""
"Three frogs, actually.""
For the first time that day, I smiled without forcing it.
Eleanor looked at me.
"She talked about you constantly.""
I swallowed.
"Did she?""
"Every time she called me.
Eleanor looked at me.
"She talked about you constantly.""
I swallowed.
"Did she?""
"Every time she called me, she told me something new. Your first day at school. Your first lost tooth. The time you learned to ride a bicycle.""
My eyes burned.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I promised her I wouldn't.""
, she told me something new. Your first day at school. Your first lost tooth. The time you learned to ride a bicycle.""
My eyes burned.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I promised her I wouldn't.""
She reached for my hand.
"I know you may never forgive me for keeping that promise.""
I looked at her.
"I don't know what I feel right now.""
"That's fair.""
She glancedShe reached for my hand.
"I know you may never forgive me for keeping that promise.""
I looked at her.
"I don't know what I feel right now.""
"That's fair.""
She glanced toward Lily.
"But I hope one day you'll understand how much your mother loved you.""
I nodded.
Then Margaret entered.
She carried a large document folder.
"Julian, we need toward Lily.
"But I hope one day you'll understand how much your mother loved you.""
I nodded.
Then Margaret entered.
She carried a large document folder.
"Julian, we need to discuss the trust.""
He looked exhausted.
"Can't it wait?""
"Unfortunately, no.""
She placed the folder on the to discuss the trust.""
He looked exhausted.
"Can't it wait?""
"Unfortunately, no.""
She placed the folder on the table.
"The original documents have been authenticated provisionally. But there's a problem.""
I sighed.
"Of course there is.""
Margaret gave me a sympathetic look table.
"The original documents have been authenticated provisionally. But there's a problem.""
I sighed.
"Of course there is.""
Margaret gave me a sympathetic look.
"The trust includes a condition. The sole beneficiary must personally appear before an independent trustee and confirm her identity.""
"Fine.""
"There's.
"The trust includes a condition. The sole beneficiary must personally appear before an independent trustee and confirm her identity.""
"Fine.""
"There's another condition.""
Julian looked at her.
"What?""
"The beneficiary must receive the original family witness statement before the estate can be transferred.""
Eleanor stiffened.
" another condition.""
Julian looked at her.
"What?""
"The beneficiary must receive the original family witness statement before the estate can be transferred.""
Eleanor stiffened.
"That statement was destroyed.""
Margaret shook her head.
"No. According to the documents, it was deposited with a private solicitor.""
"Who?""
Margaret checked the file.
"Sir Malcolm Reeves.""
Julian's expression changed.
"He's been dead for twelve years.""
Margaret nodded.
"But his firm still holds the sealed archive.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"Where is it?""
"London.""
"Then we'll go tomorrow.""
Margaret looked uncomfortable.
"Clara, there's something else.""
SheThat statement was destroyed.""
Margaret shook her head.
"No. According to the documents, it was deposited with a private solicitor.""
"Who?""
Margaret checked the file.
"Sir Malcolm Reeves.""
Julian's expression changed.
"He's been dead for twelve years.""
Margaret nodded.
"But his firm still holds the sealed archive.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"Where is it?""
"London.""
"Then we'll go tomorrow.""
Margaret looked uncomfortable.
"Clara, there's something else.""
She removed a second sheet of paper.
"The trustee has already received a notice disputing your claim.""
"From whom?""
Margaret turned the page.
A signature appeared at the bottom.
*Victoria Ashford.*
I laughed in disbelief.
"She's still trying?""
"She claims the original trust was established under fraudulent circumstances.""
Julian shook his head.
"She has no legal basis.""
"She has hired removed a second sheet of paper.
"The trustee has already received a notice disputing your claim.""
"From whom?""
Margaret turned the page.
A signature appeared at the bottom.
*Victoria Ashford.*
I laughed in disbelief.
"She's still trying?""
"She claims the original trust was established under fraudulent circumstances.""
Julian shook his head.
"She has no legal basis.""
"She has hired a senior barrister.""
"Then we'll hire someone better.""
Margaret looked toward me.
"There's one more thing. The notice contains a declaration from someone claiming to a senior barrister.""
"Then we'll hire someone better.""
Margaret looked toward me.
"There's one more thing. The notice contains a declaration from someone claiming to be the legitimate heir.""
I leaned forward.
"Who?""
Margaret placed the document on the table.
The name was typed in capital letters.
*ADRIAN ASHFORD.*
Julian frowned.
"He's in police custody be the legitimate heir.""
I leaned forward.
"Who?""
Margaret placed the document on the table.
The name was typed in capital letters.
*ADRIAN ASHFORD.*
Julian frowned.
"He's in police custody.""
"Yes. But this declaration was filed six months ago.""
I looked at the date.
It had been signed two months before Adrian supposedly returned from the dead.
"How can that be.""
"Yes. But this declaration was filed six months ago.""
I looked at the date.
It had been signed two months before Adrian supposedly returned from the dead.
"How can that be?""
Margaret turned the page.
A second signature appeared beneath Adrian's.
Not his.
Not Victoria?""
Margaret turned the page.
A second signature appeared beneath Adrian's.
Not his.
Not Victoria's.
A name that made Eleanor gasp.
*SUSAN BENNETT.*
I gripped the edge of the table.
"That's's.
A name that made Eleanor gasp.
*SUSAN BENNETT.*
I gripped the edge of the table.
"That's impossible.""
Eleanor slowly shook her head.
"Clara...""
I looked at her.
"Tell me.""
She hesitated.
Then she sat impossible.""
Eleanor slowly shook her head.
"Clara...""
I looked at her.
"Tell me.""
She hesitated.
Then she sat down.
"Your mother didn't just know about the trust.""
"What?""
"She was one of its down.
"Your mother didn't just know about the trust.""
"What?""
"She was one of its original trustees.""
I stared.
"Why?""
"Because your grandfather trusted her. original trustees.""
I stared.
"Why?""
"Because your grandfather trusted her. He believed she was the only person in the family who couldn't be bought.""
I looked at the document again.
My mother's signature was unmistak He believed she was the only person in the family who couldn't be bought.""
I looked at the document again.
My mother's signature was unmistakable.
But there was something else.
The date.
Six months earlier.
I picked up the page.
"You're telling me my motherable.
But there was something else.
The date.
Six months earlier.
I picked up the page.
"You're telling me my mother signed this six months ago?""
Eleanor nodded.
"Yes.""
"Then she's alive.""
Nobody spoke.
I looked at Julian.
He was staring at the signature signed this six months ago?""
Eleanor nodded.
"Yes.""
"Then she's alive.""
Nobody spoke.
I looked at Julian.
He was staring at the signature.
His face had lost all color.
"Clara," he said quietly.
"What?""
He pointed to the bottom of the.
His face had lost all color.
"Clara," he said quietly.
"What?""
He pointed to the bottom of the page.
There was a handwritten note beside my mother's signature.
Seven words.
**I will return when page.
There was a handwritten note beside my mother's signature.
Seven words.
*I will return when my daughter is ready.*
My phone vibrated.
An incoming message.
Unknown number.
I opened it.
A photograph appeared.
My mother.
Standing outside a London train station.
Alive.
Older.
But unmistakably Susan Bennett my daughter is ready.**
My phone vibrated.
An incoming message.
Unknown number.
I opened it.
A photograph appeared.
My mother.
Standing outside a London train station.
Alive.
Older.
But unmistakably Susan Bennett.
Beneath the photograph was a message.
**Tomorrow. Noon. Bring Julian. Come without police..
Beneath the photograph was a message.
*Tomorrow. Noon. Bring Julian. Come without police.*
A second message arrived before I could respond.
*And Clara, there's something Julian doesn't know about your birth.*
I looked**
A second message arrived before I could respond.
*And Clara, there's something Julian doesn't know about your birth.*
I looked up.
Julian was watching me.
"What is it?""
I couldn't answer.
Because a third message appeared.
This time up.
Julian was watching me.
"What is it?""
I couldn't answer.
Because a third message appeared.
This time, it contained only one sentence.
*You are not his only child.*
And beneath it was another photograph.
A little girl.
Approximately Lily, it contained only one sentence.
*You are not his only child.*
And beneath it was another photograph.
A little girl.
Approximately Lily's age.
Standing beside my mother.
The girl's face was almost identical to mine.
Except for one detail.
She had Julian Ash's age.
Standing beside my mother.
The girl's face was almost identical to mine.
May you like
Except for one detail.
She had Julian Ashford's unmistakable blue eyes.
