Chapter 7 - The Grandfather Everyone Trusted
Richard Cole arrived at the mansion on Christmas Eve acting offended that anyone suspected him.
He was seventy-two, silver-haired, charming, and beloved by employees who remembered him handing out holiday bonuses.
Lily stared at him from behind Nathan.
Richard smiled.
“So this is Sarah’s little girl.”
Nathan’s expression hardened.
“You knew Sarah was pregnant?”
Richard did not answer quickly enough.
Parker whispered, “Grandpa?”
Richard sighed.
“Sarah was unstable.”
Lily immediately said, “No she wasn’t.”
Everyone looked at her.
Richard’s smile tightened.
“You’re too young to understand.”
“I understood my mama.”
Nathan almost smiled.
Richard claimed Evan and Vanessa stole the money alone. He said Sarah panicked and disappeared after Evan’s death.
Then Mae found something.
An old company Christmas newsletter showed Richard standing beside Calvin Rusk—the contractor who later tried to grab Lily.
Nathan confronted him.
Richard’s warmth vanished.
“You have no idea what it took to build this family.”
“You threatened a woman and child to protect a balance sheet.”
“I protected thousands of jobs.”
“You protected yourself.”
Richard stepped closer.
“You were always weak where women were concerned.”
Nathan shoved him back when Richard reached toward Lily.
Security moved between them.
Richard laughed.
“There it is. Sarah knew exactly what she was doing when she kept the girl.”
Nathan ordered his uncle removed.
As Richard was escorted toward the door, he turned to Lily.
“Ask your mother why she never told Nathan about the Christmas train.”
Lily went still.
After he left, she ran to her backpack.
From the bottom she pulled a tiny wooden train ornament.
“Mama said never lose it.”
Nathan examined the base.
A number had been carved underneath.
Not a phone number.
A bank vault number.
On Christmas morning, Nathan’s attorney obtained emergency access.
Inside the vault they found cash, forged corporate seals, Sarah’s original evidence, and a sealed envelope addressed to Nathan.
He opened it.
Nathan,
If you are reading this, I failed to keep Lily outside your family’s war. Richard is dangerous, but he is not the person I fear most.
Nathan stopped.
May you like
Below that line Sarah had written one name.
Mae Donnelly.
