Chapter 9 - Elias Mercer
Julian found Elias the next morning.
The older man sat alone inside a quiet diner outside the city.
Gray hair.
Weathered face.
Eyes that looked exactly like Julian's.
Elias stood when Julian entered.
Neither spoke.
Then Elias said:
“You have your mother's eyes.”
Julian's throat tightened.
“Are you my father?”
Elias looked down.
“Yes.”
The word landed harder than any accusation.
Julian sat.
“Why did you let me believe Arthur was my father?”
“Because Arthur threatened your mother.”
“With what?”
“Your life.”
Julian's hands curled into fists.
Elias continued.
“Arthur wanted control of your mother's inheritance. When she refused to sign everything over, he made a deal.”
“With whom?”
“Beatrice.”
Julian stared.
“My mother?”
Elias nodded.
“They agreed to raise you as Arthur's son.”
Julian felt sick.
“And Elena?”
Elias looked at him.
“That is why you must leave.”
“Why?”
“Because Arthur knows the baby carries something he has been trying to find for thirty years.”
Julian leaned forward.
“What?”
Elias's face changed.
“Your mother's original inheritance record.”
Julian froze.
“You mean my mother left something?”
Elias nodded.
“And Arthur never found it.”
Then Elias whispered:
May you like
“Your wife has it.”
👉 Julian finally understood why Elena had been targeted—but he still didn't know where she had hidden the inheritance record.
