Chapter 2: The Son Who Chose the Wrong Side
Daniel stepped forward.
"You can't do this."
Richard barely looked at him.
"I didn't."
"Your grandfather did."
Daniel pointed toward me.
"She planned this!"
I finally spoke.
"No."
"You planned it the day you decided your mother's approval mattered more than your own wife."
His jaw tightened.
"I slapped you because—"
"Because she told you to."
Silence.
He couldn't deny it.
Richard removed another document.
"There is more."
Margaret slowly backed away.
"No..."
"Don't read that."
Richard continued anyway.
"The trust also requires every beneficiary to protect minor children from abuse."
He turned toward Daniel.
"You failed."
Daniel's breathing became uneven.
"What does that mean?"
"It means your inheritance is suspended pending civil review."
His face turned white.
"My inheritance?"
Richard nodded.
"Approximately forty-eight million dollars."
Daniel stared at Margaret.
For the first time...
He wasn't looking at his mother with loyalty.
He was looking at her with blame.
"You never told me..."
Margaret whispered,
"I thought..."
"You thought nobody would ever challenge you."
Daniel looked at me.
"Emily..."
"I didn't know."
I met his eyes.
May you like
"You never asked."
That hurt him far more than any scream ever could.
