Chapter 8 - The Second Enemy
Victoria's investigation uncovered something unexpected.
Their father had not disappeared overseas.
He had been secretly negotiating a merger that would have transferred Vance Industries into another corporation.
Eleanor had stopped him.
Then their father vanished from the business.
Years later, he died under mysterious circumstances.
Victoria had always believed it was an accident.
Now she wasn't sure.
A private investigator returned with a file.
"There was a second company."
Victoria opened it.
A shell corporation.
Hidden behind six layers of ownership.
The beneficiary?
A man named Charles Mercer.
Victoria recognized the name.
Her father's former business partner.
"He's alive?"
"Very much so."
"Where?"
"Monaco."
Victoria stared at the photograph.
A handsome older man.
Silver hair.
Cold eyes.
A familiar smile.
Mia looked over her shoulder.
"Who is he?"
Victoria closed the file.
"Someone who may know what happened to Mom."
That night, Victoria made a decision.
She would not simply destroy Eleanor.
She would uncover the entire truth.
May you like
Even if that truth destroyed the last remaining illusion of their family.
---
