Chapter 7: The Key That Exposed His Father
Marcus read the message three times.
*The person who signed for it was your father.*
For several seconds, he couldn't move.
Richard had just apologized to him. He had admitted making a terrible mistake. He had even promised to protect him.
And now Daniel was saying that Richard had accessed a locked box connected to Grandpa's final instructions.
Marcus looked at the brass key in his palm.
The number 214 seemed to grow heavier.
“Marcus?””
Lily stood in the doorway, holding Mr. Buttons.
“What's wrong?””
He quickly locked his phone.
“Nothing, sweetheart.””
“Are you crying?””
Marcus touched his cheek.
He hadn't realized tears had formed in his eyes.
“No. I'm okay.””
Lily climbed onto the bed beside him.
“Grandpa used to say that when people are scared.””
Marcus smiled faintly.
“Your Grandpa Edward was a smart man.””
“He said you were his favorite person to play chess with.””
Marcus laughed softly.
“That's because he always cheated.””
Lily giggled.
For a moment, the house felt normal again.
Then Marcus's phone rang.
Daniel.
He answered immediately.
“Daniel, what's going on?””
“Marcus, I need you downstairs. And bring the key.””
“Why did you say my father accessed the box?””
“Because I received confirmation from the bank's security office. The box was opened yesterday afternoon.””
Marcus stood.
“Yesterday? Dad was home yesterday.””
“I know.””
“What's inside?””
Daniel paused.
“That's something we need to establish before anyone touches anything else.””
Marcus looked at Lily.
“Stay in your room, okay?””
She nodded.
“But don't let anyone yell at you,” she whispered.
“I won't.””
He walked downstairs.
Richard was standing beside the dining table. Vanessa sat on the sofa, while Brianna leaned against the wall with her arms crossed.
Daniel was on the phone.
When Marcus entered, the attorney ended the call.
“Thank you for coming.””
Marcus placed the key on the table.
“Tell me what's happening.””
Daniel looked toward Richard.
“Richard, I think you should explain.””
Richard rubbed his face.
“Marcus, there's something I've been meaning to tell you.””
Marcus let out a bitter laugh.
“Apparently, everyone in this family has something they've been meaning to tell me.””
Richard didn't react.
“Yesterday, I went to the bank.””
“Why?””
“Because I received a letter from your grandfather's attorney.””
Daniel interrupted.
“I didn't send you that letter.””
Richard looked at him.
“Someone did.””
“Who?””
Richard hesitated.
“An envelope was left at the front door. It contained instructions about a safety deposit box.””
Daniel's expression hardened.
“Did you open it?””
“Yes.””
“And you used the information to access box 214?””
Richard nodded.
Marcus stared at him.
“Why?””
Richard lowered his voice.
“Because I thought it contained something that could explain why your grandfather kept certain things from me.””
Marcus shook his head.
“You went through my grandfather's private property without asking me?””
“I was trying to understand what was happening!””
“You could have asked Daniel.””
“I didn't trust him.””
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
“Interesting, considering your father appointed me to protect his estate.””
Richard ignored him.
“I opened the box, Marcus. But there wasn't much inside.””
“What was there?””
“A folder, a flash drive, and an old photograph.””
Marcus stepped closer.
“Where are they?””
Richard looked down.
“I don't have them anymore.””
The room fell silent.
Daniel closed his eyes.
“Richard…”
“I didn't destroy anything!””
“Then where are they?””
Richard swallowed.
“I gave them to someone.””
Marcus felt his stomach drop.
“Who?””
Richard looked toward Vanessa.
She immediately stood.
“Don't look at me.””
Richard turned back.
“I gave them to a man who said he could help me understand the documents.””
Daniel's voice became cold.
“Name.””
Richard hesitated.
“Peter Lawson.””
Daniel's expression changed.
“Peter Lawson?””
“Yes.””
“Do you know who he is, Marcus?””
Marcus shook his head.
Daniel opened his laptop.
“Peter Lawson was investigated several years ago for financial misconduct involving estate management. He has no authority to access Edward's trust.””
Richard looked horrified.
“I didn't know that.””
Daniel turned the laptop around.
A photograph appeared.
Richard stared at it.
“That's him.””
Marcus looked at the picture.
The man was in his late forties, with gray hair and a narrow face.
Daniel spoke carefully.
“Peter previously worked with a financial adviser who attempted to persuade Edward to change the trust arrangements. Edward dismissed him.””
Richard sank into a chair.
“Why would he approach me?””
Daniel answered without hesitation.
“Because he wanted access to the documents.””
Marcus stared at his father.
“You gave Grandpa's things to a stranger?””
“I thought he was helping me!””
“Dad, what is wrong with you?””
Richard covered his face.
“I made a mistake.””
Marcus walked toward the window.
It was becoming impossible to distinguish the truth from the lies in his own family.
Then Daniel's laptop chimed.
He looked at the screen.
“That's strange.””
“What?”” Marcus asked.
Daniel read an incoming email.
His face changed.
“Peter just contacted my office.””
Richard stood.
“What did he say?””
Daniel turned the laptop.
The email contained one sentence.
*I have the original document. If Marcus wants to know why Edward changed his final instructions, he should come alone.*
Marcus stared.
“Changed his instructions?””
Daniel nodded.
“Your grandfather amended his estate documents three days before he died.””
Richard looked confused.
“That's impossible. I attended the will reading.””
“The will was valid,” Daniel explained.
“But there was an additional private agreement that wasn't disclosed to the family.””
Marcus looked at the brass key.
“What did Grandpa leave me?””
Daniel closed his laptop.
“I'm afraid Peter may have the answer.””
Richard immediately shook his head.
“You're not going anywhere alone.””
Marcus turned.
“Why? So you can hand him another document?””
“Marcus, I'm trying to protect you.””
“Then start by telling me everything.””
Richard's face crumpled.
“There is one more thing.””
Marcus waited.
Richard lowered his voice.
“Peter didn't contact me first.””
“Who did?””
Richard looked toward the staircase.
“Vanessa.””
Vanessa's face went white.
Brianna slowly turned toward her mother.
“Mom?””
Vanessa took a step backward.
Richard continued.
“She told me Peter could help us recover money Edward had supposedly taken away from the family.””
Marcus stared at his stepmother.
“Why would you say that?””
Vanessa's lips trembled.
Then she whispered:
“Because Peter told me Edward had promised me something before he died.””
Daniel looked up sharply.
“What exactly did he promise you?””
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Vanessa began to cry.
“He promised me that Marcus would never receive the entire inheritance.””
