Chapter 13 - THE ATTORNEY’S BETRAYAL
Benjamin Cross had represented Elena for seven years.
He had defended Margaret’s will when Victoria challenged it.
He had handled Elena’s personal accounts and the estate trust.
He was also the only person besides Elena who knew every detail of her financial records.
Mason advised Elena not to confront him.
She agreed.
Then she called Benjamin and invited him to the estate.
“I found the missing page from the ledger.”
Benjamin became silent.
“Where?”
“In Margaret’s bedroom.”
“I will come immediately.”
Elena ended the call.
Mason’s officers installed recording devices throughout the study.
Noah returned from the hospital and restored the security system.
At seven that evening, Benjamin arrived alone.
He entered the study carrying a leather briefcase.
Elena placed a blank sheet of old paper inside a transparent folder.
She kept it facedown.
Benjamin stared at it.
“You should give that to me.”
“Why?”
“So I can protect you.”
“From Victoria?”
“From everyone.”
Elena studied him.
“Did Margaret pay you to defend the will?”
“Of course.”
“Did she also pay you to hide my parents’ murder?”
Benjamin’s face remained calm.
“I do not know what Victoria told you.”
“I did not mention Victoria.”
His eyes shifted toward the camera.
Elena smiled faintly.
“Noah disabled the system.”
That was a lie.
Benjamin relaxed.
“Your grandmother made terrible choices.”
“She spent the rest of her life trying to protect you from them.”
“Did she order my parents killed?”
“No.”
“Did she know Charles planned it?”
Benjamin did not answer.
Elena placed one hand on the folder.
“Tell me the truth, and I will give you the page.”
Benjamin opened his briefcase.
Inside was the missing sealed amendment.
He placed it on the desk.
“This document is the only reason you are still alive.”
Elena did not touch it.
“Explain.”
“The estate does not transfer to Victoria if you are convicted.”
“That clause was added later.”
“Then what does it say?”
Benjamin leaned toward her.
“It transfers to the biological child of Isabel Hartley.”
“I am Isabel’s only child.”
Benjamin shook his head.
“No.”
“You had an older sister.”
Elena stared at him.
“That is impossible.”
“She was taken from the hospital before your parents died.”
“Margaret spent years searching for her.”
“Who took her?”
Benjamin looked toward the closed study door.
“It was not Charles.”
The door opened.
Catherine Reed stepped inside.
She held a gun against Noah’s back.
May you like
Benjamin looked at Elena.
“Meet your sister.”
