Chapter 17 - THE MAN WHO HELD THE LAST SIGNATURE|
"Put it down, Edward."
Anselmo didn't sound frightened.
He sounded irritated.
Edward stood near the entrance, his injured shoulder supported by a sling.
His gun remained pointed toward the floor.
"Give me the ledger."
Anselmo laughed.
"You still think you can negotiate with me?"
"I don't want to negotiate."
Clara stood.
"Dad, don't."
Edward looked at her.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart."
"Whatever happened between you and Anselmo, we can deal with it legally."
Edward shook his head.
"Not if he destroys the evidence."
Anselmo tapped the document on the table.
"Tell her the truth."
Edward closed his eyes.
Clara felt dread spreading through her.
"What truth?"
Edward looked at her.
"Your mother and I signed an agreement before she died. She transferred her ownership rights to you, but the final transfer required my approval."
"And you refused?"
"I delayed it."
"Why?"
"Because Anselmo threatened to expose your biological identity. He said he would tell Aurelio's father, and he would make sure you were taken away."
Clara looked at Anselmo.
"Is that why you used my identity?"
Anselmo shrugged.
"I needed a legitimate name."
"You used a child."
"I used an opportunity."
Edward stepped forward.
"Give me the original ledger."
Anselmo smiled.
"You don't have it."
Clara looked at the old man.
"What did you do with it?"
He pointed toward the fireplace.
A small metal container rested beside the flames.
Inside it, several pages were already burning.
Matteo moved toward the fireplace.
Aurelio grabbed his arm.
"Don't."
Anselmo laughed.
"Too late."
But Clara noticed something.
The papers in the container were copies.
The original ledger was still missing.
She looked at Edward.
He gave the smallest nod.
He had hidden it somewhere else.
Anselmo noticed their exchange.
His smile disappeared.
"Where is it?"
Edward didn't answer.
The old man stood.
"Search him."
Two guards moved forward.
Valentina immediately pressed a button on her phone.
A loud alarm sounded outside.
Then came the unmistakable noise of police vehicles approaching the estate.
Anselmo's face turned white.
"What have you done?"
Valentina looked at him.
"Something your family should have done years ago."
The dining room doors opened again.
Thomas Hale entered with federal agents.
"Nobody move."
Anselmo reached for his jacket.
Aurelio stepped between him and the agents.
"Don't."
For a second, Clara thought her fiancé might shoot his uncle.
Instead, Aurelio took a step back.
Anselmo was arrested.
Matteo surrendered his weapon.
Valentina handed over the financial records.
Edward placed his gun on the floor.
But as the agents led Anselmo away, he stopped beside Clara.
"You think this ends with me?"
She looked at him.
"It ends with the truth."
He leaned closer.
"Then ask your father what happened the night your mother died."
Clara froze.
Edward's face changed.
Anselmo smiled.
"Ask him who was driving the car."
The agents pulled him away.
Clara turned toward Edward.
"Did you kill my mother?"
Edward looked devastated.
"No."
"Then why did he say that?"
Edward lowered his eyes.
"Because I was there."
Clara felt tears sting her eyes.
"Tell me everything."
Edward nodded.
Then he placed a small envelope in her hand.
Inside was a letter from her mother.
May you like
The final line read:
If you ever discover the truth about my death, remember that the person who loved you most may not be the person who protected you.
