Chapter 10 - The Person Behind The Money
The investigation uncovered a hidden connection.
A private investment company had been funding Julian's scheme.
At first, Eleanor didn't recognize the name.
Then her father did.
“That's not an investment company.”
“What is it?”
“A debt-collection vehicle.”
Eleanor stared at him.
“Why would they fund Julian?”
“Because they wanted the estate.”
Her father explained.
The Vance family had enormous debt.
Someone had realized the family was vulnerable.
They approached Julian.
They offered him money.
In return, they would receive control of the estate once the transfer was completed.
Julian thought he was using them.
He wasn't.
He was being used.
Eleanor sat quietly.
“Who owns the company?”
Her father slid the document across the table.
The name at the bottom belonged to a businessman who had been competing against the Blackwood family for years.
Eleanor recognized him.
Victor Hale.
Her father's former rival.
The entire scheme suddenly made sense.
Julian hadn't simply wanted his wife's money.
Someone had convinced him to betray his wife because they wanted to weaken both families.
Julian had been greedy.
But he had also been manipulated.
That didn't excuse him.
It simply revealed how much larger the battle had become.
Grandfather Blackwood stood.
“We end this now.”
Eleanor nodded.
“How?”
“By letting Victor believe he has won.”
She looked at him.
May you like
“You have a plan.”
“I have an old one.”
