Chapter 6 - THE SECRET INSIDE THE INHERITANCE
Marie Laurent had spent seventeen years believing her daughter was dead.
That was the first truth Elodie learned.
The second was worse.
Her father had known Marie was alive.
Elodie sat beside the hospital bed, unable to speak.
Marie held her hand tightly, as though afraid she might disappear again.
"When Catherine found us, she threatened to take you," Marie whispered.
Elodie stared at her.
"Why?"
"Because I had evidence."
"What evidence?"
"Financial records. Original invoices. Bank instructions. Copies of forged signatures."
Marie closed her eyes.
"Geneviève de Valmont discovered that Catherine had been stealing from the charitable foundation. She asked me to help document everything."
"Why didn't you go to the police?"
"We tried."
Marie looked toward the window.
"But the first attorney we contacted warned Catherine."
Elodie felt anger rising.
"So you ran."
"Your father helped me. He created new identities and moved us to a small town."
"And when Catherine found us?"
Marie began to tremble.
"She threatened to hurt you unless I disappeared."
Elodie pulled her hand away.
"Then why didn't Dad tell me?"
"Because Catherine convinced him I had died after she took me."
The room fell silent.
Marie wiped away a tear.
"She arranged for me to be declared mentally unfit. I was transferred between private facilities. Every time I tried to contact you, the letters disappeared."
Elodie stood and walked toward the window.
Seventeen years.
Seventeen birthdays.
Seventeen Christmas mornings.
Her mother had been alive.
And someone had stolen all that time.
"Why didn't anyone stop her?"
"Because Catherine controlled the money, the lawyers, and the people responsible for my care."
Elodie turned.
"Alexandre's sister found you."
Marie nodded.
"Four years ago."
"Isabelle?"
"Yes."
Alexandre, who had remained near the doorway, stepped forward.
"Where is she?"
Marie looked at him with sudden recognition.
"Alexandre?"
He nodded.
"It's me."
She began to cry.
"She said you would come."
Alexandre approached the bed.
"Where is my sister?"
Marie hesitated.
"She discovered the original settlement documents."
"The originals Grandfather mentioned?"
"Yes. Geneviève had created a protected archive before she died. It contained evidence of Catherine's misconduct and instructions for an independent investigation if suspicious transactions appeared."
Claire, who had joined them, leaned forward.
"Where was the archive?"
"Inside Aurelia Holdings."
Elodie frowned.
"Inside a company?"
"Not physically. The holding company was designated as the custodian of certain sealed records. Access required authorization from the independent protector and the estate's designated legal representative."
Claire understood immediately.
"Catherine wants control of Aurelia because it controls the archive."
Marie nodded.
"Once she controls the company, she can replace its directors, obtain the records, and destroy what incriminates her."
"And the money?" Elodie asked.
"That is only part of it."
Alexandre clenched his fists.
"Where is Isabelle?"
Marie reached beneath her pillow.
She removed a small envelope.
"She left this for you."
Alexandre opened it.
Inside was a photograph of a seaside town.
On the back were four words.
THE LIGHTHOUSE STILL REMEMBERS.
Alexandre stared at the message.
Then he looked at Marie.
"She's alive?"
Marie nodded.
"But she cannot come home."
"Why not?"
"Because Catherine has something that could destroy her."
Alexandre's voice broke.
"What?"
Marie hesitated.
"Four years ago, Isabelle was accused of stealing eleven million euros from the foundation."
Claire looked stunned.
"That case was never made public."
"Because Catherine offered to keep it quiet if Isabelle disappeared."
Alexandre shook his head.
"My sister would never steal."
"She didn't."
Marie reached for his hand.
"But Catherine made certain the evidence would say otherwise."
A nurse entered suddenly.
"Visitors need to leave."
Claire stood.
"Is there a problem?"
The nurse looked toward the hallway.
"The administrator received a call."
"From whom?"
The nurse swallowed.
"Mrs. Catherine de Valmont."
Alexandre moved toward the door.
But Marie caught Elodie's arm one final time.
"There's something else."
"What?"
Marie looked directly into her daughter's eyes.
"Your father didn't choose you for the marriage."
Elodie went still.
"Then who did?"
May you like
Marie whispered:
"Geneviève."
