Chapter 10 - THE UNCLE WHO NEVER DIEDJonathan Mercer was alive.
The discovery shattered Julian's understanding of his family.
His uncle had vanished thirty-seven years earlier.
Official records claimed he died in a boating accident.
But the financial files told another story.
Jonathan had built the first version of the Mercer network.
Elliot had taken it over.
Richard Vale had managed it.
And Jonathan had disappeared when he realized what the system would become.
Julian found an address in Maine.
He went alone.
At the end of a rocky road stood a small cabin overlooking the ocean.
An old man opened the door.
Julian knew immediately.
The eyes were the same.
“Jonathan?”
The man stared.
“You have Elliot's face.”
Julian stepped inside.
“You're alive.”
“Unfortunately.”
“Why did you disappear?”
Jonathan looked toward the sea.
“Because your father was becoming dangerous.”
“You murdered him?”
Jonathan laughed bitterly.
“No.”
“Who did?”
“Richard Vale.”
Julian froze.
“Why didn't you stop him?”
“Because by then Vale controlled everything.”
Jonathan revealed the truth.
Elliot had discovered Vale's plan to use the Mercer trust to seize control of the company permanently.
Evie was the final legal obstacle.
But Jonathan had created a failsafe.
If Evie reached eighteen, the trust would dissolve the network.
If she died before then, Vale would inherit control.
Julian's stomach turned.
“So he wants to kill her.”
“Yes.”
“Why hasn't he?”
“Because he needs you to sign something first.”
Julian's expression hardened.
“What?”
“A guardianship transfer.”
Silence.
Jonathan handed him a document.
“Vale wants you declared unfit.”
Julian read it.
It contained fabricated evidence.
Drug use.
Neglect.
Violence.
Everything designed to destroy him publicly.
Julian looked up.
“He'll use the balcony incident.”
“Yes.”
“Vivienne.”
Jonathan nodded.
“She will testify against you.”
Julian's jaw tightened.
“Unless she changes her mind.”
Jonathan looked at him.
“She already has.”
Back in New York, Vivienne sat in a police interview room.
She had agreed to testify.
But before she could sign the statement, every light in the building went out.
A guard found her unconscious.
When she woke, she was alone.
On the wall someone had written:
YOU SHOULD HAVE LET THE GIRL FALL.
Vivienne began screaming.
Meanwhile, Julian received a call.
A distorted voice said:
“Bring Evie to the courthouse tomorrow.”
Julian replied:
“No.”
The voice laughed.
“Then Elena dies.”
Julian turned pale.
Across town, Elena was sitting in a parked car.
A man opened the passenger door.
She looked up.
May you like
Richard Vale smiled.
“Hello, Elena.”
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