Edward felt his stomach tighten.
"I didn't authorize anything."
Robert became silent.
"That's what I was afraid of."
They arranged to meet the following morning.
Robert arrived carrying a folder containing bank statements, copies of financial instructions, and several internal reports.
Edward examined everything carefully.
Some documents carried his electronic authorization.
But he had never seen them.
"Who submitted these?" Edward asked.
Robert looked uncomfortable.
"Your son."
Edward slowly removed his glasses.
"Daniel?"
Robert nodded.
"He told us you had approved the transactions during a private meeting."
Edward stared at the papers.
He remembered that Daniel had recently asked for access to several company systems.
He had agreed because he trusted him.
Now that trust was becoming a source of danger.
"Why didn't you contact me earlier?"
Robert lowered his eyes.
"I tried. But your son told everyone you were experiencing memory problems and that all important decisions should go through him."
Edward felt a cold sensation move through his chest.
His own son had been telling employees that he was losing his ability to make decisions.
"Did anyone believe him?"
Robert sighed.
"Some did. Others were afraid of losing their jobs."
Edward leaned back.
For a long time, he said nothing.
Finally, he asked Robert to make copies of every document.
"Do not confront Daniel yet," he said.
Robert looked surprised.
"Sir?"
"I want to understand exactly what is happening before I make any accusations."
Robert nodded.
"I understand."
But when he reached the door, Edward stopped him.
"Robert."
"Yes, sir?"
"If something happens to me, make sure the employees are protected. They trusted me when this company was nothing more than a small office and a borrowed truck."
Robert's eyes became emotional.
"You have my word."
After Robert left, Edward remained alone.
He looked at the family photograph on his desk.
Daniel was smiling in the picture.
Edward wondered when that smile had become so unfamiliar.
That same afternoon, another unexpected event occurred.
A package arrived at the mansion.
It contained a small USB drive and a handwritten note.
There was no sender's name.
The note read:
"You believe your son is trying to take your money. But the truth is much worse. Watch these recordings before you sign anything."
Edward stared at the message.
He immediately called his private security manager.
"Find out who delivered this package."
The manager promised to investigate.
Edward then locked the door to his study and connected the USB drive to an old computer that was not connected to the company's network.
Several video files appeared.
The first recording showed Daniel sitting in a conference room with two unfamiliar men.
One of them was discussing the family's assets.
The other was talking about a legal strategy to transfer control of the estate.
Daniel listened carefully.
Then he said something that made Edward's hands tremble.
"My father will eventually sign. He doesn't want conflict with his children."
One of the men asked:
"And if he refuses?"
Daniel leaned back.
"Then we make sure he has no choice."
Edward paused the recording.
His breathing became shallow.
He wanted to believe that the video had been edited.
He wanted to believe that the conversation had been taken out of context.
But he continued watching.
The second recording showed Daniel speaking to someone on the phone.
"The medical report needs to be ready before the meeting," Daniel said. "Once the documents are approved, nobody will be able to challenge the arrangement."
Edward's face became pale.
Medical report?
Approved arrangement?
He replayed the recording.
Then he opened the third file.
This one was shorter.
It showed Daniel entering Edward's private office after midnight.
He walked directly toward the locked drawer.
The drawer containing Margaret's old letter.
Daniel tried several keys.
Eventually, he managed to open it.
He searched through the documents, removed a small envelope, and examined it.
Edward felt as though the room had stopped moving.
Margaret's letter.
His son had been looking for Margaret's letter.
But why?
What could possibly be inside that envelope that Daniel wanted so desperately?
Edward closed the computer.
He could no longer continue.
He stood up and walked toward the window.
Outside, the garden was dark.
Margaret's roses were moving gently in the wind.
He remembered her final words.
A truth that may hurt everyone. But one day, it may save them.
For the first time, Edward wondered whether the letter contained something even more serious than he had imagined.
The next morning, he decided to speak with Emily.
He called her and asked her to visit.
When she arrived, she immediately noticed that something was wrong.
"Dad, you look exhausted."
Edward smiled weakly.
"I didn't sleep very well."
Emily placed her handbag on the sofa.
"Have you been taking your medicine?"
"Yes, sweetheart."
She walked toward him and touched his shoulder.
"You know you can tell me anything, don't you?"
Edward looked into her eyes.
He saw Margaret.
The same kindness.
The same gentle expression.
The same ability to make someone feel safe without saying very much.
"Emily, have you ever wondered why your mother kept certain things from us?"
Emily frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Before she died, did she ever tell you anything unusual?"
Emily thought for a moment.