Chapter 5 - Her Father Left Her A Secret
Adrian agreed to meet.
But he refused to meet at his office.
He chose a quiet café across town.
When Jessi arrived, he looked exhausted.
“I should have told you years ago.”
“You should have told me eleven years ago.”
“I was afraid.”
“Of Wendy?”
Adrian shook his head.
“Of what would happen if the Carter family discovered the truth.”
Jessi sat across from him.
Adrian explained that her father had realized someone was attempting to seize control of his company before his death.
He created a protected financial structure.
But he didn't leave the assets directly in Jessi's hands.
He divided them.
One part was placed in property.
Another in investments.
The final portion was hidden behind a trust.
The trust could only be unlocked by Jessi after she reached thirty.
She was twenty-nine.
Two months away.
Jessi stared at him.
“Then Luca's proposal wasn't about my money today.”
“No.”
“He wanted me married before I turned thirty.”
Adrian nodded.
“Because marriage would have changed who could challenge the trust.”
Jessi felt cold.
“So the wedding was timed.”
“Yes.”
Adrian handed her a key.
“Your father left this.”
She looked down.
“What does it open?”
“A safety deposit box.”
Jessi stared at the key.
“Why didn't you give it to me earlier?”
Adrian looked away.
“Because Wendy threatened my daughter.”
Silence.
That explained why he had stayed quiet.
Jessi didn't excuse him.
But she understood.
“Where is the box?”
“First National Bank.”
Before she could stand, her phone vibrated.
A message from Luca.
You think this ends because you called the police?
Then another.
You don't know what you're holding.
Jessi showed Adrian.
He went pale.
“What?”
Adrian pointed at the screen.
“That's not Luca's number.”
Jessi stared.
Someone else had sent the message.
May you like
Someone who knew exactly what she was investigating.
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