Chapter 10 - THE ELDEST SON
Arthur admitted Antonio had fathered a child before marrying Isabel.
"I was told the baby died."
Dominic held the certificate.
"He didn't."
Marcus stared at the ledger. "Gerald is our half brother."
Dominic read Caleb's notes again.
Adrian had spent decades beside the Vale family under another name.
Handling contracts.
Signatures.
Access.
Watching two acknowledged sons inherit everything.
At St. Matthew's Cemetery, Caleb's note led them to the Vale mausoleum.
Behind Antonio's stone plaque, Vincent found a steel document tube.
Inside was an ownership amendment.
If Antonio's acknowledged sons became unable to lead, voting control passed to his eldest surviving biological son.
Adrian.
Marcus exhaled.
"He didn't need us dead."
"Just incompetent," Dominic said.
The crash weakened Dominic.
The drugs confused him.
The brace made him unable to walk.
Marcus's return would make the family look unstable.
Then Dominic's phone rang.
Mercer was shouting.
"The estate was breached."
Clare grabbed Dominic's arm.
"Ellie?"
A pause.
"She's gone."
Clare screamed.
A video arrived seconds later.
Ellie sat in a chair holding her latch toy.
Unhurt.
A man stood in shadow behind her.
"Bring the second ledger to Black Harbor Pier Nine. Dominic and Marcus only."
Clare reached for the phone.
"Ellie!"
The video ended.
May you like
Dominic looked at Vincent.
"You have forty-five minutes to make sure 'only' is a lie."
