He arranged an interview with a respected financial journalist, providing copies of the documents and explaining that the company had commissioned an independent investigation.
He did not accuse Margaret of a crime.
He simply confirmed that historical records appeared inconsistent and that the company would cooperate with qualified investigators.
That evening, Emily received a message from an unknown number.
Your father didn’t die because of the money. He died because he discovered who Victoria’s real father was.
Emily read the message three times.
Then she called Alexander.
“There’s something else we need to investigate.”
They met in Rebecca’s office.
Emily showed her the message.
Rebecca frowned.
“This could be an attempt to mislead us.”
“Who was Victoria’s father?” Alexander asked.
Emily shook her head.
“Eleanor never identified him in the family documents.”
Jonathan Pierce reviewed the trust papers.
“The original birth certificate may contain the answer. But the copy we have is incomplete.”
Rebecca searched the archived corporate records.
After several hours, she found a reference to a private medical clinic that had operated in Beverly Hills during the relevant period.
The clinic’s ownership records listed a physician named Dr. Samuel Reed.
A separate document showed that Reed had received payments from Northbridge Capital.
The same physician had signed Eleanor Carter’s medical records.
Alexander arranged a meeting with the retired doctor through his attorney.
Reed agreed to speak with them privately.
He was an elderly man living in a quiet coastal town, far removed from the social world of the Whitmore and Hale families.
“I remember Eleanor,” he said. “She was intelligent, cautious, and very protective of her children.”
“Did you know who Victoria’s father was?” Alexander asked.
Reed hesitated.
“I knew his identity, but I was bound by confidentiality.”
