Chapter 8 - The Mother Who Sold Her DaughterThe woman in the photograph was Eleanor Vance.
Mallory's mother.
For fifteen years, Mallory had believed she was dead.
Her father had told her that Eleanor died in a car accident after leaving their family.
But the woman in the photograph looked very much alive.
Silas arranged a meeting at the old bank.
He insisted that Mallory remain behind.
She refused.
“She abandoned me once. I'm not hiding from her again.”
Silas looked at her.
“Then we'll face her together.”
The vault was located beneath the bank's original marble building.
When the heavy door opened, they found several boxes, sealed envelopes, and a small recording device.
Mallory recognized the handwriting on the first envelope.
Her mother's.
She opened it.
My dearest Mallory,
If you are reading this, then the people who controlled our family have finally made their move.
Mallory's hands began shaking.
She continued.
I did not die in a car accident. I disappeared because I discovered that your father had been laundering money for the Black Circle. When I tried to expose him, they threatened to kill you.
Mallory stopped reading.
Silas took her hand.
She continued.
I made a terrible bargain. I gave them access to the financial records in exchange for your safety. I believed they would leave you alone.
I was wrong.
The letter ended with a location.
A private residence in Connecticut.
They drove there that evening.
Eleanor Vance was waiting on the porch.
She looked older, thinner, but unmistakably alive.
When she saw Mallory, tears filled her eyes.
“Baby.”
Mallory stood motionless.
“Don't call me that.”
Eleanor lowered her head.
“I know I don't deserve your forgiveness.”
“You let me believe you were dead.”
“I thought it was the only way to keep you safe.”
“You let them take my husband. You let them take my child.”
Eleanor began crying.
“I tried to stop them.”
Mallory shook her head.
“You could have found me.”
“I did.”
Mallory froze.
“What?”
“I found the estate six months ago. I saw you working there.”
Silas stepped forward.
“And you did nothing?”
Eleanor looked at him.
“I was being watched. Victor had threatened to kill both of them if I approached.”
Mallory stared at her mother.
“Did you know Adrian was alive?”
Eleanor hesitated.
“Yes.”
The room became silent.
Mallory stepped backward.
“You knew?”
“I knew he was working with Victor.”
“And you never told me?”
“I was trying to find a way to get you both out.”
Silas placed the original ledger on the table.
“Then tell us everything.”
Eleanor looked at the documents.
Her expression changed.
“There's something you need to understand. Victor isn't the leader.”
“Who is?”
She looked at Mallory.
“Your father.”
Mallory went completely still.
“My father died fifteen years ago.”
Eleanor shook her head.
“No, sweetheart. Your father has been alive all this time.”
Then she revealed the name.
“Richard Vance.”
Silas recognized it.
Richard Vance was the mysterious founder of the Black Circle.
May you like
The man whose identity had never been confirmed.
And Mallory was his only legitimate heir.
