Chapter 6: The Uncle Who Wanted Her Silence
Naomi stared at the email.
For several seconds, she couldn't speak.
"Uncle Michael?""
Benjamin took the document from Thomas.
He read the sender's address, then checked the timestamp.
There was no mistake.
Michael Carter was Benjamin's younger brother.
He was also the man who had helped raise Naomi after Elizabeth died.
He had attended her high school graduation, walked her down the aisle at her wedding, and sent flowers when Grace was born.
Naomi slowly shook her head.
"No. That can't be right.""
Benjamin placed the email on the table.
"Thomas, how did you obtain this?""
"Victoria forwarded it to an account I monitor. She thought I was still working with her.""
"Why?""
Thomas looked uncomfortable.
"Because I made her believe I was willing to help.""
Richard's expression hardened.
"You're telling us you've been cooperating with her?""
"Only to find out what she was planning.""
Benjamin stepped closer.
"And you didn't think to inform me?""
"I was afraid Michael would discover it.""
"Michael is my brother.""
Thomas looked directly at him.
"That's precisely why I was afraid.""
Naomi sat down slowly.
She remembered Michael bringing her ice cream after her mother died.
She remembered him sitting beside her at the funeral.
She remembered him telling her that she would never have to face anything alone.
"Why would he want anything from me?"" she whispered.
Nobody answered.
Then Benjamin pulled out his phone.
He called Michael.
The phone rang four times.
Finally, a familiar voice answered.
"Ben! What a surprise.""
Benjamin closed his eyes briefly.
"Where are you?""
"At home. Why?""
"I need to see you.""
"Everything okay?""
Benjamin looked at the email.
"No.""
There was a pause.
"What's happened?""
"I've discovered something about Elizabeth's foundation.""
The silence on the other end lasted just a fraction too long.
Then Michael laughed softly.
"That's ancient history, Ben.""
Benjamin's eyes narrowed.
"Is it?""
"Of course. Why are you digging through that mess now?""
"Because somebody has been asking questions about Naomi.""
Michael's voice changed.
"Naomi? Is she all right?""
"She's safe.""
"Thank God. What's going on?""
Benjamin looked at his daughter.
"That's what I'd like you to explain.""
Michael exhaled.
"Ben, you're exhausted. We should talk tomorrow.""
"No. Tonight.""
"I have a dinner commitment.""
"Cancel it.""
Michael sighed.
"You're making this sound like an emergency.""
Benjamin ended the call.
Then he turned toward Richard.
"Find out where Michael is.""
Richard nodded.
"Already on it.""
At the same time, Victoria Whitmore was sitting in the back of a black Mercedes parked two blocks from the hotel.
Her husband, Richard Whitmore, had arrived.
He sat beside her, holding a leather portfolio.
"You told me the situation was under control," he said.
Victoria stared through the window.
"It was.""
"Then why is Benjamin Carter questioning our partnership?""
"His daughter caused a scene.""
Richard turned toward her.
"His daughter?""
"She was in the lobby when I arrived.""
Richard slowly closed the portfolio.
"Why did you touch her?""
Victoria looked offended.
"I didn't know who she was.""
"That doesn't answer my question.""
"She was rude.""
Richard stared at her.
"You slapped a woman holding a newborn baby in a hotel owned by the man who controls the company we're trying to partner with.""
Victoria turned toward him.
"Don't lecture me.""
"I'm not lecturing you. I'm trying to understand how you managed to destroy six months of negotiations in thirty seconds.""
Victoria's eyes flashed.
"Then perhaps you should remember who made those negotiations possible.""
Richard's voice lowered.
"Don't threaten me.""
She looked away.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Then Victoria took out her phone.
"We need Michael.""
Richard frowned.
"Why?""
"Benjamin has the key.""
Richard's face changed.
"What key?""
"The one Elizabeth left with Thomas.""
Richard sat upright.
"You're sure?""
"Thomas brought it to the hotel.""
Richard rubbed his forehead.
"That box cannot be opened.""
"Then we need to get there first.""
"Victoria, listen to me. If those documents are still inside, we could both be finished.""
She gave him a cold smile.
"Only if Benjamin gets them.""
Richard looked at her.
"What are you planning?""
Victoria typed a message.
*Michael, the key has surfaced. We need to move tonight.*
Back in the hotel suite, Benjamin was arranging security for Naomi.
Two members of his private security team had arrived.
One would remain near the suite, while the other would accompany Benjamin and Richard Hayes.
Naomi was sitting beside Grace's bassinet when her phone vibrated.
She glanced at the screen.
A message from Michael.
*Sweetheart, I heard there was some trouble at the hotel. Your father is probably making a big deal out of nothing. Come downstairs and let me take you and Grace somewhere quieter. We can talk without all these lawyers.*
Naomi read it twice.
Her stomach tightened.
She showed Benjamin.
He studied the message.
"Don't answer.""
"Why would he know about the hotel?""
Benjamin looked toward Thomas.
"Who else knows about the incident?""
"Hotel staff. Security. Possibly Mrs. Whitmore's husband.""
"Then how did Michael hear about it so quickly?""
Thomas didn't respond.
Richard Hayes took the phone and examined the message.
"Did Michael know you were coming here today?""
Naomi shook her head.
"No. I haven't spoken to him in weeks.""
Benjamin looked at her.
"Did you tell anyone else about the trip?""
Naomi hesitated.
"Only my husband.""
Benjamin's expression softened slightly.
"Your husband?""
"Daniel. I sent him the reservation details because he wanted to know where Grace and I would be.""
Richard looked up.
"What's your husband's full name?""
Naomi frowned.
"Daniel Reed. Why?""
Richard opened his briefcase.
He searched through the documents Thomas had brought.
Then he stopped.
"Benjamin, you need to see this.""
He turned the laptop toward them.
An email chain appeared.
The first message was from Victoria Whitmore.
The second was from Michael Carter.
The third came from an address Naomi recognized immediately.
Daniel Reed.
Naomi felt her breath catch.
"That's my husband's email.""
Benjamin read the message.
It contained a photograph of Naomi's hotel reservation and a short sentence.
*She'll be there Thursday. Make sure Victoria is informed.*
Naomi stepped backward.
"No.""
Benjamin looked at her.
"Naomi?""
She shook her head.
"Daniel wouldn't do that.""
Richard scrolled down.
There was another message.
*The baby is the important part. Once we confirm the paperwork, everything can be settled.*
Naomi's hand flew to her mouth.
"What paperwork?""
Nobody answered.
Then Thomas quietly spoke.
"Elizabeth's final trust document.""
Benjamin turned toward him.
"What trust document?""
Thomas opened the final page of his folder.
"Your wife left an inheritance arrangement that was never activated. It was designed to protect Naomi and her children.""
Naomi stared at him.
"Why would Daniel care about that?""
Thomas looked at Benjamin.
"Because the document names Grace as the sole beneficiary of a separate family estate.""
Benjamin went completely still.
Richard frowned.
"How large?""
Thomas swallowed.
"According to the preliminary valuation, approximately sixty-eight million dollars.""
Naomi sank into the chair.
She looked toward her daughter, sleeping peacefully.
Her husband had shared her location.
Her uncle had been communicating with Victoria.
And all of them seemed interested in a document connected to her newborn daughter.
Benjamin placed a protective hand on Naomi's shoulder.
"Listen to me. Nobody is taking Grace anywhere.""
Naomi's phone vibrated again.
This time, it wasn't a text.
It was an incoming video call.
Daniel Reed.
She stared at the screen.
Benjamin held out his hand.
"Let me answer.""
But Naomi shook her head.
"No, Daddy. I need to hear what he says.""
She accepted the call.
Daniel appeared on the screen, sitting in what looked like a hotel room.
He smiled when he saw her.
"Hey, beautiful. How's our little girl?""
Naomi struggled to keep her voice steady.
"Daniel, how did you know I was at the St. Charles Royale?""
His smile faded.
"What?""
"Did you send my reservation to Victoria Whitmore?""
Daniel looked away.
Only for a second.
But Naomi saw it.
"Naomi, listen to me. I can explain.""
"Did you?""
He sighed.
"Your father is there, isn't he?""
Naomi's blood ran cold.
"How do you know that?""
Daniel leaned closer to the camera.
"Because Michael just called me.""
Benjamin stepped into view.
Daniel's face turned white.
Then he said something that made Naomi's heart stop.
"Benjamin, you need to understand. I never wanted to hurt Naomi. But the agreement was made before Grace was even born.""
Naomi whispered, "What agreement?""
Daniel closed his eyes.
When he opened them, he looked directly at her.
"Your father wasn't supposed to find out that Grace isn't the only child Elizabeth left that inheritance to.""
Benjamin went completely still.
May you like
Richard Hayes slowly lowered his briefcase.
And somewhere in New Orleans, a woman who had been presumed dead for twelve years was suddenly at the center of a secret that could destroy the entire Carter family.
