Chapter 5 - THE SECRET BEHIND TOMMY’S BILLS
The truth about Chloe's brother came unexpectedly.
Victor found the first clue in an old financial report.
A payment had been made to the hospital treating Tommy.
The account belonged to a foundation Victor's father had created twenty years earlier.
The foundation had one purpose.
Helping families of employees who died while working for Russo companies.
Victor checked the name attached to Tommy's file.
Michael Bennett.
Chloe's father.
Victor froze.
Michael Bennett had been one of his father's accountants.
He had disappeared twelve years earlier.
Officially, he had stolen millions.
Victor's father had accused him of embezzlement.
Michael had fled.
His wife died three years later.
Chloe had raised Tommy alone.
Victor kept reading.
The records contained one sentence that changed everything.
Michael Bennett claimed he discovered illegal financial transfers within the Russo organization.
Victor immediately summoned Marco.
"Find everything on Michael Bennett."
Marco hesitated.
"That case was closed."
"I didn't ask whether it was closed."
"I'll look."
Victor stared at him.
"Tonight."
Marco left.
Victor found Chloe in the garden.
"Your father."
She turned.
"What about him?"
"Was he an accountant?"
Her expression changed.
"Yes."
"Did he steal money?"
Chloe laughed bitterly.
"That's what everyone said."
"What do you believe?"
"I believe my father spent his whole life terrified."
"Why?"
"He told me once that powerful people could make the truth disappear."
Victor went silent.
Chloe looked at him.
"Why are you asking?"
"Because I think your father was telling the truth."
She stared.
"About what?"
Victor explained what he'd found.
Chloe's eyes filled with tears.
"My father wasn't a criminal."
"I don't think he was."
She covered her mouth.
For years, she had carried shame that wasn't hers.
Now, for the first time, someone was telling her that maybe her family hadn't been the villains.
That evening, Victor brought her into his private archive.
It was the first time he had ever allowed anyone inside.
Rows of documents lined the walls.
Chloe looked around.
"Why bring me here?"
"Because you deserve to know."
He opened a file.
Inside was an old photograph.
Michael Bennett.
Victor's father.
And a third man.
Chloe recognized the third man immediately.
"That's Marcus Hale."
Victor nodded.
Vanessa's father.
"The transfers were made through his accounts."
Chloe looked at Victor.
"So Vanessa's family..."
"May have framed yours."
A sound came from the hallway.
Victor turned.
The door was slightly open.
He had locked it.
He moved toward it.
Nobody was there.
But a small recording device lay on the floor.
Victor picked it up.
His expression became ice.
Someone had been listening.
That night, Victor confronted Vanessa.
"Did your father frame Michael Bennett?"
Vanessa went pale.
"I don't know."
"Don't lie."
She stepped backward.
"My father did things I didn't understand."
"Did he?"
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
"Victor, I loved you."
"This isn't about love."
"It was always about love."
"No."
His voice was quiet.
"It was about possession."
Vanessa stared at him.
Then she whispered:
"You'll regret choosing her."
Victor walked away.
But Vanessa wasn't finished.
Because she knew something Victor didn't.
May you like
Michael Bennett had left behind one final file.
And Vanessa's father had spent twelve years making sure nobody found it.
