Chapter 16 - THE VANCE PATRIARCH
My grandfather had supposedly died before I was born.
His grave existed.
His death certificate existed.
His funeral had been attended by hundreds.
But Richard showed us something else.
A photograph taken fifteen years after his supposed death.
My grandfather.
Alive.
Living under another name.
I couldn't speak.
Victoria sat down.
"Why?"
Richard explained.
Our grandfather had created the Vance empire.
But he had become obsessed with control.
He believed the family needed one ruler.
When my father refused, the conflict began.
Eleanor had been his ally.
Arthur had been his weapon.
And my father had tried to escape.
"He killed your father?" I asked.
Richard nodded.
"But Eleanor covered it up."
"Why?"
"Because she believed she would inherit control."
I looked at Evelyn.
"And you?"
"I was the contingency."
"What does that mean?"
"My grandfather created a trust."
Evelyn opened a folder.
"If every recognized heir died, control would pass to me."
I stared at the documents.
"So someone has been eliminating heirs."
She nodded.
"Your father."
"Victoria."
"Me."
Her eyes moved toward Nathaniel.
"And eventually him."
Clara pulled our son closer.
I felt rage rise through me.
"Where is your grandfather now?"
Evelyn looked at Richard.
He answered.
"New York."
My phone vibrated.
A message appeared.
COME TO VANCE TOWER. ALONE.
Below it was a photograph.
My grandfather stood in the lobby.
Older.
But unmistakable.
Then another message:
BRING THE BOY.
Clara grabbed my arm.
"No."
"I'm not taking him."
Evelyn nodded.
"Then don't go."
"What?"
"Make him come to us."
I looked at her.
"What are you suggesting?"
She smiled.
"We stop running."
For the first time, every surviving member of the Vance family stood together.
Sebastian.
Clara.
Victoria.
Evelyn.
Even Ethan.
And behind us stood Marcus and Daniel.
We had spent years reacting to threats.
Now we would create one.
We leaked a false story.
Vance Global was collapsing.
The family trust was being dissolved.
Evelyn was surrendering her shares.
Within three hours, my grandfather made his move.
He arrived at Vance Tower.
Exactly where we wanted him.
But he wasn't alone.
Dozens of armed men entered behind him.
Marcus looked at me.
"Sir."
May you like
I nodded.
"Let's finish this."
