Victoria opened her handbag and removed another envelope.
"This was hidden inside my mother's old photograph album."
Richard looked at it.
The envelope had never been opened.
His name was written across the front.
He recognized the handwriting immediately.
"Where did you find this?"
"In the back of the album. There was a small compartment behind the photograph."
Richard took the envelope.
His hands were shaking.
Inside was a letter addressed to him.
It was dated twenty-four years earlier.
Unlike the first letter, this one had been written before Victoria was born.
Richard began reading.
Richard, I have tried calling you every day. Your office says you are unavailable. Your assistant tells me you have moved overseas. I don't understand what happened. I am frightened because I have something important to tell you.
Richard stopped.
He looked at Victoria.
Then continued.
I am pregnant. I don't expect you to abandon your dreams or your work. I only want you to know that you are going to become a father.
Richard could barely breathe.
He continued reading.
If you don't want to be part of our lives, I will accept it. But please, don't let me believe you simply forgot us.
The letter ended with Eleanor's signature.
Richard lowered it.
His eyes filled with tears.
He looked toward James.
"Who handled my mail during this period?"
James answered:
"Charles Whitmore."
Richard slowly turned.
"Find him."
CHAPTER 9: THE CONFRONTATION
Charles was brought into the private conference room.
Richard stood beside the window.
Victoria sat quietly at the table.
James closed the door.
Charles looked uncomfortable.
"Richard, I understand there's a problem."
Richard turned.
"Do you recognize this?"
He placed the old letter on the table.
Charles glanced at it.
His expression changed.
"I've seen many documents over the years."
Richard stepped closer.
"Do you recognize the handwriting?"
Charles swallowed.
"Perhaps."
Richard placed another document beside it.
"This was sent to my office twenty-four years ago."
Charles looked down.
Richard continued.
"It informed me that the woman I loved was pregnant with my child."
Charles remained silent.
"Why didn't I receive it?"
Charles looked toward James.
Then at Victoria.
Finally, he answered:
"I was trying to protect the company."
Richard's expression became cold.
"Explain."
Charles took a breath.
"Your relationship with Eleanor was becoming a distraction. The investors were worried about your personal life. They believed you needed to focus entirely on the business."
Richard stared at him.
"So you intercepted her letters?"
Charles nodded.
"Yes."
"And what did you tell her?"
Charles hesitated.
"I told her you had decided to leave."
Richard's voice rose.
"You told her I abandoned her?"
Charles looked down.
"I believed it was necessary."