Chapter 13 - THE NIGHT THE FAMILY BROKEDeclan gathered Elena, Noah, Clary, and Arthur in the mansion's library.
Arthur had survived the gunshot wound but remained under medical supervision. He agreed to cooperate with the investigation in exchange for protection from Victor's remaining associates.
When Declan showed him the photograph, Arthur closed his eyes.
“I hoped you would never find that.”
“You knew about Noah.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because Victor had control of the adoption records. He threatened to kill both children if I revealed the truth.”
Noah's voice sharpened.
“You let me grow up believing you were my father's friend.”
“I was.”
“You helped him hide my birth.”
“I thought I was saving your life.”
Noah laughed bitterly.
“That's what everyone says when they want forgiveness.”
Arthur accepted the accusation without protest.
Declan placed the photograph on the table.
“What happened that night?”
Arthur looked toward the fireplace.
“Your father had discovered that Victor was stealing from the organization. He intended to expose him. But before he could, Victor found out that your father's mistress had given birth to twins.”
Elena stared at him.
“Twins?”
Arthur nodded.
“Your mother was afraid Victor would use the children against your father. She agreed to let him arrange their adoptions.”
Noah leaned forward.
“Why did Victor keep me?”
“Because your father signed a document naming you as a potential beneficiary of the legitimate estate. Victor believed he could raise you, control you, and eventually gain access to the trust.”
“And Elena?”
“Your father wanted her protected by a family with no connection to the Knox organization. Victor arranged for her adoption under a different name.”
Elena looked devastated.
“He separated us before we could even know each other.”
Arthur lowered his head.
“Yes.”
Declan's hands curled into fists.
“And the night my father died?”
“Victor confronted him at the waterfront warehouse. They argued. Your father threatened to expose everything. Victor shot him.”
“Why did you cover it up?”
Arthur looked directly at Declan.
“Because I found you hiding in the mansion. You were fifteen. Victor told me that if I testified, he would kill you and both children. I believed him.”
“You could have gone to the police.”
“I should have.”
The admission hung in the room.
For twenty years, Declan had believed loyalty meant protecting the people closest to him, even when their choices were indefensible.
Now he understood that loyalty without honesty was simply another kind of prison.
Noah rose.
“I don't know whether I can forgive any of you.”
“You don't have to,” Declan said.
“I need to know who I am without Victor telling me.”
Elena stood beside him.
“Then we can figure it out together.”
For the first time, Noah looked at his sister without suspicion.
He nodded.
The investigator arrived with another discovery.
Victor had transferred ownership of several legitimate businesses into a trust controlled by an offshore company. The documents bore Declan's forged signature and appeared to authorize the transfer of millions of dollars.
If the documents were accepted, Declan could lose control of the legitimate estate and face criminal charges.
“He's trying to destroy you,” Clary said.
“He's trying to destroy all of us,” Declan replied.
The investigator placed a final document on the table.
A letter from Victor to an unidentified recipient.
The children are together. The Knox heir remains the greatest obstacle. If he refuses to cooperate, use the maid. She is the only person who can make him surrender.
Declan felt the room darken around him.
Clary read the sentence twice.
Then she looked up.
“I'm the target now.”
Before anyone could answer, the mansion's security alarm sounded.
A guard rushed into the library.
“Sir, we've lost contact with the outer gate. Someone has cut the power.”
Declan grabbed his jacket.
“Get everyone to the secure wing.”
A second alarm rang.
Then a gunshot echoed from the ground floor.
May you like
And over the security speaker, Victor's voice announced:
“Declan, bring me the trust documents, or the maid dies.”
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