She Threw $500 at Her Ex-Husband—Then His Billionaire Boss Answered the Phone

I Chapter 8: The Will That Changed Everything

I opened the attachment.

The document was opened the attachment.

The document was six pages long.

Its title was simple.

**LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF CATHER six pages long.

Its title was simple.

*LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF CATHERINE HALE REED.*

I read the first paragraph.

Then theINE HALE REED.**

I read the first paragraph.

Then the second.

By the third, my hands had begun to shake.

My mother had created a separate trust for her children and future descendants second.

By the third, my hands had begun to shake.

My mother had created a separate trust for her children and future descendants. The trust included thirty percent ownership of Meridian Holdings, several commercial properties, and a substantial investment portfolio.

But there was something else. The trust included thirty percent ownership of Meridian Holdings, several commercial properties, and a substantial investment portfolio.

But there was something else.

A condition.

If Catherine died before her brother Victor, the shares would remain in a.

A condition.

If Catherine died before her brother Victor, the shares would remain in a protected family trust until her son reached the age of thirty-five.

I was forty now.

Which meant the condition had already been fulfilled protected family trust until her son reached the age of thirty-five.

I was forty now.

Which meant the condition had already been fulfilled.

I looked at the final page.

My mother's signature appeared at the bottom.

Underneath it was Alexander Hale's signature as a witness.

I frowned.

I looked at the final page.

My mother's signature appeared at the bottom.

Underneath it was Alexander Hale's signature as a witness.

I frowned.

"Why was Alexander witnessing my mother's will?""

Agent Bennett leaned forward.

"That's what we need to establish.""

I pointed to the date.

"SixWhy was Alexander witnessing my mother's will?""

Agent Bennett leaned forward.

"That's what we need to establish.""

I pointed to the date.

"Six days before she died.""

"Correct.""

"Was this document ever filed?""

Agent Bennett examined the digital copy.

"Not according to the probate records we've reviewed.""

I stared at the screen.

"So somebody days before she died.""

"Correct.""

"Was this document ever filed?""

Agent Bennett examined the digital copy.

"Not according to the probate records we've reviewed.""

I stared at the screen.

"So somebody concealed it.""

"Possibly.""

Richard, who had been standing silently near the door, finally spoke.

"That isn't the original will.""

I turned toward him.

"What concealed it.""

"Possibly.""

Richard, who had been standing silently near the door, finally spoke.

"That isn't the original will.""

I turned toward him.

"What?""

He approached the table.

"Your mother signed a different will three months before she died.""

"How do you know?""

"Because I helped?""

He approached the table.

"Your mother signed a different will three months before she died.""

"How do you know?""

"Because I helped your father prepare the estate inventory after the funeral.""

I pushed the tablet toward him.

"Then explain this.""

Richard studied the signature.

His expression changed.

"That's Catherine's handwriting.""

your father prepare the estate inventory after the funeral.""

I pushed the tablet toward him.

"Then explain this.""

Richard studied the signature.

His expression changed.

"That's Catherine's handwriting.""

"Then it's real?""

"The signature might be real. But the document itself doesn't look right.""

He pointed toward the witness"Then it's real?""

"The signature might be real. But the document itself doesn't look right.""

He pointed toward the witness section.

"Your mother never signed legal documents without two independent witnesses. Alexander shouldn't have been there.""

Agent Bennett took the tablet.

"Do you remember who section.

"Your mother never signed legal documents without two independent witnesses. Alexander shouldn't have been there.""

Agent Bennett took the tablet.

"Do you remember who the original witnesses were?""

Richard nodded.

"One was your mother's attorney, James Whitaker. The other was a the original witnesses were?""

Richard nodded.

"One was your mother's attorney, James Whitaker. The other was a woman named Margaret Ellis.""

I searched the name in my phone.

Nothing familiar.

"Where are they now?""

Richard hesitated.

"James Whitaker died twelve years ago.""

"And Margaret?""

"I don't know.""

Agent Bennett wrote something down.

woman named Margaret Ellis.""

I searched the name in my phone.

Nothing familiar.

"Where are they now?""

Richard hesitated.

"James Whitaker died twelve years ago.""

"And Margaret?""

"I don't know.""

Agent Bennett wrote something down.

"We'll look into both.""

I looked at the will again.

There was a clause near the bottom that I'd initially overlooked.

It stated that if Catherine's son"We'll look into both.""

I looked at the will again.

There was a clause near the bottom that I'd initially overlooked.

It stated that if Catherine's son failed to claim the trust before his thirty-fifth birthday, ownership would transfer to the designated family successor.

The successor was Alexander Hale.

I read the sentence twice failed to claim the trust before his thirty-fifth birthday, ownership would transfer to the designated family successor.

The successor was Alexander Hale.

I read the sentence twice.

My mother had supposedly agreed that her brother could inherit my shares if I failed to claim them.

But nobody had told me about the trust.

Nobody had notified me.

Nobody had even mentioned.

My mother had supposedly agreed that her brother could inherit my shares if I failed to claim them.

But nobody had told me about the trust.

Nobody had notified me.

Nobody had even mentioned that Meridian Holdings existed.

I looked at Agent Bennett.

"Could this document be used to transfer the shares?""

"Not without proper probate verification and confirmation of the trust's legal status.""

"Then why has Alexander been claiming them that Meridian Holdings existed.

I looked at Agent Bennett.

"Could this document be used to transfer the shares?""

"Not without proper probate verification and confirmation of the trust's legal status.""

"Then why has Alexander been claiming them?""

"Because someone may have filed a separate ownership petition.""

I turned toward Emily.

"Get our legal department on this immediately.""

She nodded.

Agent?""

"Because someone may have filed a separate ownership petition.""

I turned toward Emily.

"Get our legal department on this immediately.""

She nodded.

Agent Bennett closed her folder.

"Mr. Reed, I need you to understand something. If the document is fraudulent, this isn't simply a corporate dispute. It could involve Bennett closed her folder.

"Mr. Reed, I need you to understand something. If the document is fraudulent, this isn't simply a corporate dispute. It could involve identity fraud, forgery, financial conspiracy, and possibly obstruction of an estate.""

"I understand.""

"And if someone has been trying to obtain your identity fraud, forgery, financial conspiracy, and possibly obstruction of an estate.""

"I understand.""

"And if someone has been trying to obtain your mother's shares for decades, we need to establish why.""

I looked at the photograph of Alexander and Vanessa.

"I think I know why.""

At 9:30 that evening mother's shares for decades, we need to establish why.""

I looked at the photograph of Alexander and Vanessa.

"I think I know why.""

At 9:30 that evening, our security team finally located my aunt.

She was staying in a small hotel outside Savannah under the name Evelyn Morgan.

When I reached her room, she opened, our security team finally located my aunt.

She was staying in a small hotel outside Savannah under the name Evelyn Morgan.

When I reached her room, she opened the door only after checking the hallway twice.

She looked older than I remembered.

Her silver hair was tied loosely behind her head. Her face was pale, and there were dark circles beneath her eyes.

" the door only after checking the hallway twice.

She looked older than I remembered.

Her silver hair was tied loosely behind her head. Her face was pale, and there were dark circles beneath her eyes.

"Marcus.""

I stepped forward and hugged her.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then she pulled away.

"You look just like your father.""

I smiled faintly.

"That's what everyone says.""

She glanced at AgentMarcus.""

I stepped forward and hugged her.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then she pulled away.

"You look just like your father.""

I smiled faintly.

"That's what everyone says.""

She glanced at Agent Bennett.

"Are you sure she can be trusted?""

Agent Bennett showed her identification.

"We're here to protect you and establish what happened to the missing documents.""

My aunt nodded reluctantly.

She Bennett.

"Are you sure she can be trusted?""

Agent Bennett showed her identification.

"We're here to protect you and establish what happened to the missing documents.""

My aunt nodded reluctantly.

She invited us inside.

The room was small.

A suitcase sat open beside the bed, and several folders were stacked on the desk.

Evelyn locked the door.

Then she removed a thick invited us inside.

The room was small.

A suitcase sat open beside the bed, and several folders were stacked on the desk.

Evelyn locked the door.

Then she removed a thick envelope from her handbag.

"Your mother gave me this two days before she died.""

I stared at it.

"Why didn't you give it to my father?""

"I tried.""

She lowered her eyes.

"But your envelope from her handbag.

"Your mother gave me this two days before she died.""

I stared at it.

"Why didn't you give it to my father?""

"I tried.""

She lowered her eyes.

"But your father told me to keep it until you were old enough to understand.""

I opened the envelope.

Inside was a handwritten letter.

The paper smelled faintly of old perfume.

I recognized my mother's handwriting immediately father told me to keep it until you were old enough to understand.""

I opened the envelope.

Inside was a handwritten letter.

The paper smelled faintly of old perfume.

I recognized my mother's handwriting immediately.

My darling Marcus,

If you're reading this, then I was unable to explain everything to you myself.

*There are.

My darling Marcus,

If you're reading this, then I was unable to explain everything to you myself.

There are things about our family that your father has tried very hard to protect you from.

I want you to know that I loved your father. I things about our family that your father has tried very hard to protect you from.

I want you to know that I loved your father. I loved you. And I never wanted money or property to come between us.

But Victor believes that everything our grandfather created belongs to him.

He is wrong.

Your grandfather created Meridian Holdings to protect the land and businesses our family built. loved you. And I never wanted money or property to come between us.

But Victor believes that everything our grandfather created belongs to him.

He is wrong.

Your grandfather created Meridian Holdings to protect the land and businesses our family built. He divided the ownership between his children because he wanted the next generation to work together.

Victor wanted control.

Your father wanted to protect He divided the ownership between his children because he wanted the next generation to work together.

Victor wanted control.

Your father wanted to protect what was already there.

I chose your father.

I stopped reading.

My aunt sat quietly across from me.

I continued.

I know Victor has been speaking what was already there.

I chose your father.

I stopped reading.

My aunt sat quietly across from me.

I continued.

I know Victor has been speaking to people about the ownership shares. I know he has approached lawyers, bankers, and even people to people about the ownership shares. I know he has approached lawyers, bankers, and even people who once worked with your father.

He will tell you that I promised him everything.

I did not.

I who once worked with your father.

He will tell you that I promised him everything.

I did not.

I signed an agreement that would allow you to inherit my shares when you turned thirty-five.

I also signed a second document.

That document contains the truth about the signed an agreement that would allow you to inherit my shares when you turned thirty-five.

I also signed a second document.

That document contains the truth about the ownership of Meridian Holdings.

Do not let anyone convince you that your family was built on a lie.

And Marcus ownership of Meridian Holdings.

Do not let anyone convince you that your family was built on a lie.

And Marcus, if Vanessa Reed ever comes into your life again, do not trust her with the original documents.

I stopped.

My heart began pounding.

I read, if Vanessa Reed ever comes into your life again, do not trust her with the original documents.*

I stopped.

My heart began pounding.

I read the final sentence again.

Vanessa Reed.

My ex-wife's name.

My mother had written it twenty-six years earlier the final sentence again.

Vanessa Reed.

My ex-wife's name.

My mother had written it twenty-six years earlier.

But Vanessa hadn't even been born into our family.

I looked at my aunt.

"How could my mother have known Vanessa?""

Evelyn's eyes filled.

But Vanessa hadn't even been born into our family.

I looked at my aunt.

"How could my mother have known Vanessa?""

Evelyn's eyes filled.

"She didn't.""

"Then why did she write her name?""

My aunt reached into her handbag and removed another photograph.

It showed my mother standing beside a little girl.

The child looked approximately eight years old"She didn't.""

"Then why did she write her name?""

My aunt reached into her handbag and removed another photograph.

It showed my mother standing beside a little girl.

The child looked approximately eight years old.

Dark hair.

A small smile.

A white dress.

I looked closer.

The girl had the same distinctive eyes as Vanessa.

I felt my stomach.

Dark hair.

A small smile.

A white dress.

I looked closer.

The girl had the same distinctive eyes as Vanessa.

I felt my stomach drop.

"Who is that?""

My aunt whispered:

"Vanessa's mother.""

I stared at her.

"You're saying my mother knew Vanessa's mother?""

Evelyn nodded.

"Her name was Patricia Whitmore before she married drop.

"Who is that?""

My aunt whispered:

"Vanessa's mother.""

I stared at her.

"You're saying my mother knew Vanessa's mother?""

Evelyn nodded.

"Her name was Patricia Whitmore before she married Vanessa's father.""

I sat down.

"How?""

"Patricia worked for your grandfather. She was his private secretary. Your mother considered her a close friend.""

I looked at the photograph again Vanessa's father.""

I sat down.

"How?""

"Patricia worked for your grandfather. She was his private secretary. Your mother considered her a close friend.""

I looked at the photograph again.

"Then why did my mother warn me about Vanessa?""

My aunt's voice trembled.

"Because Patricia was involved in the original Meridian dispute.

"Then why did my mother warn me about Vanessa?""

My aunt's voice trembled.

"Because Patricia was involved in the original Meridian dispute.""

I looked up.

"What did she do?""

"She helped Victor obtain the first ownership documents. Later, she disappeared from Georgia and started a new life.""

I felt a chill.""

I looked up.

"What did she do?""

"She helped Victor obtain the first ownership documents. Later, she disappeared from Georgia and started a new life.""

I felt a chill move through me.

"Does Vanessa know?""

"I believe so.""

"How?""

Evelyn looked toward the window.

"Because move through me.

"Does Vanessa know?""

"I believe so.""

"How?""

Evelyn looked toward the window.

"Because Patricia contacted her before she died.""

I stared at my aunt.

"Her mother is dead?""

"Yes. She died when Vanessa was nineteen.""

I slowly lowered Patricia contacted her before she died.""

I stared at my aunt.

"Her mother is dead?""

"Yes. She died when Vanessa was nineteen.""

I slowly lowered the photograph.

Vanessa had spent four years telling me I was a failure.

She had mocked my clothes, my company, and my ambitions.

Now I was discovering the photograph.

Vanessa had spent four years telling me I was a failure.

She had mocked my clothes, my company, and my ambitions.

Now I was discovering that her family had a history with mine stretching back decades.

And my mother had specifically warned me about her.

"Why didn't you tell me this when I married that her family had a history with mine stretching back decades.

And my mother had specifically warned me about her.

"Why didn't you tell me this when I married her?""

Evelyn looked devastated.

"I didn't know who she was at first. She used a different surname. Your mother had been gone for years, and her?""

Evelyn looked devastated.

"I didn't know who she was at first. She used a different surname. Your mother had been gone for years, and I didn't recognize the connection.""

"Then when did you find out?""

"After your divorce.""

I stared at her.

"Four years ago?""

She I didn't recognize the connection.""

"Then when did you find out?""

"After your divorce.""

I stared at her.

"Four years ago?""

She nodded.

"Vanessa came to see me three months before your divorce was finalized. She wanted to know whether you had inherited anything from your father.""

I felt anger rising.

"She asked you about my inheritance?""

"Yes.""

"What nodded.

"Vanessa came to see me three months before your divorce was finalized. She wanted to know whether you had inherited anything from your father.""

I felt anger rising.

"She asked you about my inheritance?""

"Yes.""

"What did you tell her?""

"Nothing.""

My aunt took my hand.

"Marcus, I swear I didn't know she was planning to marry Daniel.""

I looked down at her hand.

"Why did she come back did you tell her?""

"Nothing.""

My aunt took my hand.

"Marcus, I swear I didn't know she was planning to marry Daniel.""

I looked down at her hand.

"Why did she come back three months ago?""

"Because she wanted the trust documents.""

"Did she get them?""

Evelyn shook her head.

"No. But she threatened to expose something.""

"What?""

My aunt hesitated.

Then she whispered three months ago?""

"Because she wanted the trust documents.""

"Did she get them?""

Evelyn shook her head.

"No. But she threatened to expose something.""

"What?""

My aunt hesitated.

Then she whispered:

"She said your mother had a child before she married your father.""

I stopped breathing.

"What?""

Evelyn nodded slowly:

"She said your mother had a child before she married your father.""

I stopped breathing.

"What?""

Evelyn nodded slowly.

"She claimed that child was still alive.""

The room seemed to tilt.

My mother had a child before me?

I looked at.

"She claimed that child was still alive.""

The room seemed to tilt.

My mother had a child before me?

I looked at the photograph.

Then at the letter.

"Do you know who it was?""

Evelyn shook her head.

"No. But your mother once told me that she had made a terrible sacrifice the photograph.

Then at the letter.

"Do you know who it was?""

Evelyn shook her head.

"No. But your mother once told me that she had made a terrible sacrifice to protect someone she loved.""

I looked at Agent Bennett.

She was writing carefully.

"Did Vanessa provide any evidence?""

My aunt opened another to protect someone she loved.""

I looked at Agent Bennett.

She was writing carefully.

"Did Vanessa provide any evidence?""

My aunt opened another folder.

Inside was a photograph of a hospital record.

A birth certificate.

And a name.

The child's mother was Catherine Hale.

The father's name had been left blank.

The child had been born in Richmond, Virginia folder.

Inside was a photograph of a hospital record.

A birth certificate.

And a name.

The child's mother was Catherine Hale.

The father's name had been left blank.

The child had been born in Richmond, Virginia.

Twenty-nine years earlier.

I stared at the date.

The child had been born before my parents married.

And according to the document,.

Twenty-nine years earlier.

I stared at the date.

The child had been born before my parents married.

And according to the document, the baby had been placed for adoption.

I looked at my aunt.

"Did my father know?""

She nodded.

"He knew.""

"Who was the child?""

"I the baby had been placed for adoption.

I looked at my aunt.

"Did my father know?""

She nodded.

"He knew.""

"Who was the child?""

"I don't know.""

"Then how does Vanessa know?""

Evelyn looked at me.

"Because someone has been searching for that child for years.""

My phone vibrated.

A message from Emily.

*Mr don't know.""

"Then how does Vanessa know?""

Evelyn looked at me.

"Because someone has been searching for that child for years.""

My phone vibrated.

A message from Emily.

Mr. Reed, we've identified the person who filed the original Meridian ownership petition.

I opened the attachment.

The petition was dated five months earlier.

The claimant was. Reed, we've identified the person who filed the original Meridian ownership petition.*

I opened the attachment.

The petition was dated five months earlier.

The claimant was not Alexander Hale.

It was not Daniel Whitmore.

It was not Vanessa.

It was a woman named Olivia Carter.

I stared at the name.

I had never heard of her.

Then I read the final paragraph.

*Claimant asserts direct biological descent from Catherine Hale Reed and requests not Alexander Hale.

It was not Daniel Whitmore.

It was not Vanessa.

It was a woman named Olivia Carter.

I stared at the name.

I had never heard of her.

Then I read the final paragraph.

Claimant asserts direct biological descent from Catherine Hale Reed and requests immediate recognition as the rightful heir to the thirty-percent family interest.

I looked at my aunt.

"Do you know Olivia Carter?""

Evelyn slowly shook her head.

Then her eyes widened.

"Marcus...""

"What?""

She immediate recognition as the rightful heir to the thirty-percent family interest.*

I looked at my aunt.

"Do you know Olivia Carter?""

Evelyn slowly shook her head.

Then her eyes widened.

"Marcus...""