Chapter 6 - THE BETRAYAL
Vincent did not believe it.
Not at first.
Arthur Bellamy had been beside his family for decades.
He had advised Vincent's father.
He had helped Isabella manage charitable foundations.
He had attended Vincent's graduation.
He had been there when Vincent's father died.
But now the evidence was becoming impossible to ignore.
The stolen ledger.
The old photograph.
Thomas Carter's testimony.
And one missing signature.
Vincent confronted Arthur at a private restaurant.
Arthur was already waiting.
“You look disappointed.”
Vincent sat opposite him.
“You betrayed my family.”
Arthur sighed.
“Your family betrayed itself.”
Vincent's expression hardened.
“You stole millions.”
“No.”
“You altered the acquisition.”
“No.”
“Then explain.”
Arthur looked toward the window.
“Your father was about to lose everything.”
“So you saved him?”
“I saved the company.”
“By stealing from others?”
Arthur shook his head.
“By making sure the right people received what they were owed.”
Vincent leaned forward.
“Who are the right people?”
Arthur smiled sadly.
“You're still thinking like your father.”
“What does that mean?”
“You think money is the answer.”
“No.”
Vincent's voice became quieter.
“People are.”
Arthur looked at him.
For the first time, his expression softened.
“You sound like your mother.”
“Don't bring her into this.”
“She was the only one who knew the full story.”
“Then why didn't she tell me?”
“Because she made a promise.”
“To whom?”
Arthur didn't answer.
Vincent stood.
“Where is the ledger?”
Arthur looked away.
“Safe.”
“With you?”
“Yes.”
“Give it to me.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because someone else is looking for it.”
“Victoria?”
Arthur nodded.
Vincent's face changed.
“What does she want?”
“The final page.”
“What is on it?”
Arthur finally looked at him.
“Your father's real signature.”
Vincent froze.
“My father signed the transfer?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did everyone say Isabella did?”
“Because he was protecting her.”
Vincent sat back down.
Arthur continued.
“Your father knew the acquisition would expose his own earlier financial mistakes. He signed the documents and then allowed the public to believe Isabella had done it.”
Vincent's eyes narrowed.
“So my mother carried the blame for decades.”
“Yes.”
“And Victoria?”
“Her father discovered the truth.”
“Then why attack my mother?”
“Because Daniel Langford wanted control of the remaining assets.”
Vincent understood.
Victoria wasn't defending her family's reputation.
She was defending an inheritance.
That night, Vincent returned to his mother's home.
Isabella was waiting.
“You know,” she said.
“Yes.”
She looked down.
“I wanted to tell you.”
“Why didn't you?”
“Because your father asked me to protect you.”
“From what?”
“From becoming like him.”
Vincent's eyes filled with emotion.
“I spent twenty years believing you were weak.”
Isabella looked at him.
“I know.”
“I thought you let people walk over you.”
“I did.”
“Why?”
“Because sometimes surviving is not the same as surrendering.”
Vincent sat beside her.
“I’m sorry.”
She took his hand.
“You're here now.”
Across the city, Victoria was meeting someone.
Emma saw her through the window of a coffee shop.
The man sitting across from Victoria was Arthur Bellamy.
Emma immediately called Vincent.
But before she could speak, Victoria looked toward the window.
Their eyes met.
Victoria smiled.
Then she stood.
Emma's phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
Victoria's voice came through.
“You've been asking too many questions.”
Emma remained silent.
Victoria continued.
“Your father should have taught you better.”
Emma's voice hardened.
“You threatened my family.”
“No.”
A pause.
“I warned you.”
Then the call ended.
Emma looked outside.
Victoria and Arthur were gone.
But a folded envelope had been left on her table.
Inside was a photograph of Emma's father.
May you like
On the back:
YOUR FATHER WASN'T THE ONLY ONE WHO KEPT A SECRET.
