Chapter 6 - Claire's Secret
Richard couldn't speak.
"You knew my father?"
Claire nodded.
"How?"
"He asked me to help him."
"With what?"
"Your mother."
Claire explained.
Three weeks before his death, Richard's father had discovered Margaret's financial scheme.
He knew she was planning to seize control of the company.
He contacted Claire because he trusted her.
He asked her to protect Richard.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"He made me promise."
"Why?"
"Because he knew your mother would destroy anyone who stood against her."
Richard paced the room.
"Did you know about the money?"
"No."
"Did you know about Victor?"
"No."
"Then why did Margaret say—"
"Because she wants you to doubt me."
Richard looked at her.
Claire stepped closer.
"I have never betrayed you."
Richard stared into her eyes.
"I believe you."
She began crying.
"But I should have told you."
"Yes."
"I was afraid."
Richard pulled her into his arms.
"I'm afraid too."
Meanwhile, Margaret's trial began.
Evidence was overwhelming.
The bottle.
The footage.
The financial transfers.
The forged documents.
The attempted kidnapping.
The testimony from Victor.
The testimony from Harold.
And then came the final revelation.
Margaret had planned another attack.
A private investigator found a file containing photographs of Emma.
School.
Park.
Doctor.
Home.
Richard felt sick.
She had been watching his daughter for months.
The judge denied bail.
Margaret remained in custody.
But Victor was still missing.
Police found him three days later.
He had been hiding in an abandoned property.
He confessed everything.
Margaret had paid him to manipulate Richard.
She had also arranged for the fake psychiatric reports.
But Victor revealed one more secret.
"She wasn't acting alone."
Richard stared.
"Who else?"
Victor handed over a list.
Five names.
Business executives.
A banker.
A doctor.
And one judge.
The conspiracy had reached far beyond the Carter family.
Federal investigators took over.
Carter Holdings was audited.
Millions were recovered.
Several executives were arrested.
The company survived.
But Richard didn't want to keep it the same.
He sold the controlling stake.
The proceeds were placed into a family foundation.
Its purpose was child protection.
Domestic abuse prevention.
Emergency housing.
Legal assistance.
Claire helped run it.
Emma became the face of the foundation without ever being forced into publicity.
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Richard made one promise.
"She will never owe the world her pain."
