Chapter 6 - The Man Who Had Been Watching
The photographs changed everything.
Margaret had not acted alone.
Someone had been monitoring Lily.
The investigators traced the photographs to a private security company.
The company was owned by Daniel's former chief financial officer.
His name was Thomas Reed.
Thomas had vanished after Daniel's father's death.
Now Daniel knew why.
Thomas had been working for Charles.
And Charles had been protecting the family's financial secrets.
But there was one final piece.
A recording.
Thomas had left behind a digital file.
Daniel played it.
His father's voice filled the room.
“If Daniel returns, Lily must remain hidden.”
Daniel froze.
His father's voice continued.
“Control the girl. Control the trust. Control Daniel.”
Daniel turned away.
His entire childhood had been built around a man who had manipulated everyone.
He finally understood why his father had encouraged him to leave.
Why Margaret had insisted Lily was dead.
Why every letter had disappeared.
It had all been part of the same plan.
Lily entered the room.
“Is that Grandpa?”
Daniel nodded.
She listened.
Her expression changed.
“Why would he do that?”
Daniel didn't know.
Then Thomas appeared at the door.
Everyone reached for their weapons.
Thomas raised his hands.
“I want to talk.”
Daniel stared.
“You've been watching my daughter.”
Thomas looked ashamed.
“I was protecting her.”
“You call this protection?”
Thomas shook his head.
“No.”
He pulled out a folder.
“Your father ordered me to monitor Lily.”
“Why?”
“Because there was a second person after the trust.”
“Who?”
Thomas looked at Lily.
“Her biological grandfather.”
Daniel frowned.
“My father?”
“No.”
Thomas swallowed.
“Your wife's father.”
Daniel froze.
Olivia's father had disappeared after her death.
Everyone assumed he had died.
But he was alive.
And he had been searching for Lily.
Thomas revealed his name.
Anthony Mercer.
Daniel knew the name.
Anthony had once threatened to destroy the Whitmore family.
Now he understood why.
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Anthony believed the Whitmores had murdered his daughter.
And he wanted Lily back.
