But its directors included Richard's former business partner and a lawyer who had represented Thomas during the guardianship proceedings.
The company had received money for services that were never performed.
Robert also discovered that several payments had been made to a private residential facility where Michael had stayed briefly after his birth. The records showed that the facility had been paid to restrict access to the child and prevent unauthorized visitors from speaking with him.
The payments continued for years after Michael had moved elsewhere.
Someone had been collecting money for a service that no longer existed.
Robert called Daniel.
"We have enough to request a formal financial investigation."
"Do it."
"There is also a problem. Richard has transferred several assets into another company. We believe he may be preparing to leave the country."
Daniel stood up.
"Can he be stopped?"
"We can alert the authorities and request that the relevant accounts be preserved. But we need to move quickly."
Daniel looked toward the living room, where Victoria was reading Michael's letter again.
"Do whatever is necessary."
The following morning, Richard received a formal notice requiring him to provide financial records and attend an interview. He responded by calling Daniel repeatedly.
Daniel ignored the first three calls.
On the fourth, he answered.
"What do you want?"
"You're making a terrible mistake," Richard said.
"No. I'm correcting one."
"You have no idea what you're doing. Your father built that family business. Everything you have exists because of his decisions."
"Michael had a trust. You took money from it."
"That is an interpretation."
"Where did the money go?"
Richard laughed nervously.
"You think a few old transactions prove anything? Your father authorized the arrangement. Your mother signed the papers. Thomas agreed to the guardianship. I was following instructions."
"Following instructions does not make fraud legal."
"Be careful, Daniel. You may discover that your own mother is in more trouble than you think."
Daniel's voice became colder.
"If she is responsible, she will answer for it. I will not protect anyone at Michael's expense."
Richard fell silent.
Then he said something Daniel would remember for a long time.
"Your father would be ashamed of you."
Daniel looked out the window.
"My father should have been ashamed of himself."
He ended the call.
Later that day, Evelyn contacted Victoria directly. She asked to meet somewhere private, without Daniel present.
Victoria almost refused. She did not know whether she could sit across from the woman who had signed the agreement and pretend they were having an ordinary conversation.
But she agreed.
They met in a quiet café near the river. Evelyn arrived early and sat with both hands wrapped around a cup of tea. When Victoria entered, she stood.
"Thank you for coming."
Victoria sat opposite her.
"I am here because I want answers."
Evelyn nodded.
"I know."
"Why did you sign the agreement?"
Evelyn looked down.
"Your father told me Thomas's family had arranged everything. He said the child would have a better life if the situation remained private. He told me you had agreed to it."
"I never agreed."
"I know that now."
"You knew it then."
Evelyn's eyes filled.
"I suspected it."
Victoria's voice trembled.
"You held my baby. You told me he was beautiful. You told me I would have a chance to see him again when things became easier."
"I remember."
"Then you signed a document that helped keep him away from me."
Evelyn could not look at her.
"Your father said the family would be ruined if the truth came out. He said the company was already facing difficulties, and a scandal involving Thomas's family could destroy several business relationships."
"So you chose the company."
"I chose fear."
"And Michael paid for it."
Evelyn nodded.
"Yes."
Victoria stared at her.
"I used to think about what Michael's first birthday was like. I wondered who held him when he cried. Who taught him to walk. Who kissed his forehead when he was sick. I imagined him asking where his mother was, and I wondered what someone told him."
Evelyn began to cry.
"I don't have an answer that can make that right."
"No. You don't."
"I want to help now."
Victoria looked at her carefully.
"Why?"
"Because I cannot change what I did. But I can tell the truth. I can give Robert everything I know."
"Will you tell him about the money?"
"Yes."
"Will you tell him about Richard?"
Evelyn hesitated.
"Yes."
"Even if it means the family business suffers?"
Evelyn looked up.
"Yes."
Victoria sat back.
"Then do it. Don't ask me to forgive you. Don't ask Michael to call you Grandma. Just tell the truth, and let him decide what place, if any, you deserve in his life."
Evelyn nodded.
"I understand."
Victoria stood.
Before leaving, she turned back.
"There is something I need you to understand. Michael is not a mistake that needs to be hidden. He is not a scandal. He is a little boy who deserved to be loved openly."
Evelyn covered her face.
"I know."
Victoria walked out without looking back.
That evening, Michael called her.
Sarah passed the phone to him and stepped into the next room.
"Hi," Michael said.
Victoria smiled even though he could not see her.
"Hello, sweetheart."
"Are you busy?"
"Not for you."
"I have a question."
"Ask me anything."
"If I come to your house, can I bring my books?"
"Every single one."
"What about my dinosaur collection?"
"We will make space for it."
"And can I still visit Sarah?"
"Whenever you want, as long as the arrangements are safe and everyone agrees."
There was a pause.
"Would you be angry if I still missed her?"
Victoria closed her eyes.
"No. Sarah has cared for you, and she matters to you. Loving me doesn't mean you have to stop loving her."
"Okay."
Another pause followed.
"Can I come over this weekend?"
Victoria's hand flew to her mouth.
"Yes. We would love that."
"Can Daniel make pancakes?"
Victoria laughed through her tears.
"He can try."
"I want the ones with chocolate chips."
"I'll tell him."
When the call ended, Victoria sat quietly for several minutes. She did not celebrate loudly. She did not announce that everything was fixed. She understood that Michael was taking a small step, not making a lifelong promise.