Chapter 16 - Back to the Mansion
Daniel did not go alone.
He followed police instructions.
Investigators surrounded the estate while Daniel entered wearing a concealed microphone.
The foyer looked exactly as it had on the day Noah fell.
Margaret stood beside the staircase.
She held Claire’s blue elephant.
“Where is Noah?”
Daniel’s voice was flat.
“Safe.”
Margaret smiled.
“At least you learned something.”
“Give me the elephant.”
She tossed it onto a chair.
“You finally became suspicious of me. Claire would've been proud.”
“Don't say her name.”
“There it is.”
Margaret smiled.
“That temper.”
Daniel remained still.
“What do you want?”
“My father’s audit.”
“You already have a copy.”
“I want the original drive.”
“Why?”
“Because this family doesn't need another public scandal.”
Daniel almost laughed.
“You stole from the company.”
“I protected the company.”
“You invented a child.”
“I protected what your father built.”
“You falsified Noah’s paternity.”
Margaret's eyes hardened.
“And you believed it.”
That landed.
She knew it would.
Daniel swallowed.
Margaret stepped closer.
“All I gave you was a piece of paper. You were the one who doubted Claire.”
For one second, Daniel couldn't answer.
Then he said:
“You’re right.”
Margaret looked surprised.
“I failed her.”
His eyes remained on his mother.
“But I won't make the same mistake again.”
Margaret’s smile faded.
Daniel continued:
“You knew Noah was mine.”
Silence.
“You requested the real test.”
Nothing.
“You forged Michael’s signature.”
Margaret looked toward the front windows.
“And when Claire discovered it, you threatened her.”
Margaret’s voice became quiet.
“Claire should've minded her own business.”
Daniel’s pulse hammered.
There.
He needed more.
“Why did you kick Noah?”
For the first time, Margaret looked uncomfortable.
“Because everything collapsed the moment you retested him.”
“Say it.”
She glared at him.
“He destroyed everything.”
Daniel’s face changed.
“He's fifteen months old.”
“He was forty million dollars and an audit wrapped in a nursery blanket!”
The words echoed through the foyer.
Outside, investigators heard every syllable.
Daniel took one slow step backward.
Margaret realized what she had just done.
May you like
Then she noticed the tiny outline of the microphone beneath his shirt.
Her face went white.
