Victoria turned toward Thomas.
"Is there anything else?"
Thomas looked at her.
"One final document."
He removed a sealed envelope.
The outside was marked with Daniel's name.
Victoria opened it.
Inside was a statement written by her father.
It described the original ownership structure and explained that his shares were supposed to be transferred into a trust for Victoria if he died before she reached adulthood.
The trust had never appeared in the official inheritance records.
Instead, the company shares had been transferred to Margaret.
Victoria stared at the page.
Her mother had not simply hidden Thomas's ownership.
She might also have taken the inheritance Daniel had intended for his daughter.
The lawyer read the document carefully.
"This needs immediate legal review."
Victoria nodded.
"Do whatever is necessary."
Richard looked toward the door.
Two security officers were standing outside.
He tried to leave.
Victoria spoke calmly.
"Richard, please remain here until the legal team has finished reviewing the documents."
He turned.
"You cannot detain me."
"I'm not detaining you. I'm asking you to cooperate with an investigation into the company's historical financial records."
Richard looked around the room.
Nobody supported him.
For the first time in years, he had lost control of the conversation.
CHAPTER 13: THE TRUTH ABOUT THOMAS REED
After the meeting was suspended, Victoria asked Thomas to stay.
She wanted to know what had happened during the twenty years he had been gone.
They sat in a quiet conference room.
A member of the staff brought them coffee.
Thomas held the cup with both hands.
His fingers were rough and scarred.
Victoria looked at him.
"Why didn't you fight harder?"
Thomas smiled sadly.
"I did."
He explained that after Daniel's death, he had hired lawyers.
But his personal accounts were frozen.
His property was seized.
Several witnesses refused to testify.
The investigation became too expensive.
Eventually, he lost his home.
He moved between temporary jobs and shelters.
He tried to rebuild his life.
But every time he found a way forward, the old accusations followed him.
People searched his name.
They saw reports describing him as a financial criminal.
Nobody wanted to hire him.
Eventually, he stopped trying to explain.
He lived quietly.
He kept Daniel's documents hidden.
And he waited.
Victoria looked at his clothes.
"How long have you been living like this?"
"About six years."
She lowered her eyes.
"Six years?"
Thomas nodded.
"I didn't want your sympathy."
"You could have asked for help."
Thomas smiled gently.
"Would you have believed me?"
Victoria could not answer.
He continued.
"I watched you become the person your father hoped you would be. I saw the interviews, the company announcements, and the charitable projects. I was proud of you."
Victoria's eyes filled with tears.
"You watched me?"
"From a distance."
He looked at the briefcase.
"I never forgot the promise I made to Daniel."
Victoria reached across the table and took his hand.
"I'm sorry."
Thomas looked surprised.
"For what?"
"For believing the story without ever asking questions."
Thomas squeezed her hand gently.
"You were a child, Victoria. You were told what to believe."
CHAPTER 14: THE INVESTIGATION BEGINS
By the end of the day, Sterling International's legal department had opened a formal internal investigation.
The proposed acquisition was suspended.
The board requested an independent forensic audit.
Historical bank records were sought.
Former employees were contacted.
The recording was transferred to specialists for authentication.
Richard Caldwell was asked to provide a written explanation.