Chapter 12 - THE LAWYER’S LAST MOVE
Marcus ran.
He made it twelve feet.
Police took him down.
Richard watched from the chair.
“I knew I hated lawyers for a reason.”
Audrey cut his restraints.
“You employed him for thirty-two years.”
“Long con.”
“You have terrible judgment.”
“That appears genetic.”
Audrey looked at him.
Despite everything, she laughed.
One sharp, exhausted laugh.
Then she started crying.
Richard pulled her into his arms.
At first, Audrey resisted.
Then she didn’t.
“I’m sorry,” Richard whispered.
She cried harder.
Not because forgiveness had arrived.
Because it hadn’t.
Because he was dying.
Because he had hurt her mother.
Because he had lied to her.
Because she still loved him anyway.
That was the part nobody warned you about.
People could damage you and still matter.
Hours later, at the hospital, Daniel survived surgery.
Marcus was charged with conspiracy, extortion, burglary, kidnapping, and financial crimes.
Lenora gave police the original deed.
The Bellamy board removed Daniel from every position.
For the first time in days, Audrey thought the crisis might actually be ending.
Then Richard’s doctor pulled her aside.
“His condition has worsened.”
“How much time?”
The doctor hesitated.
“Days.”
Audrey closed her eyes.
Julian stood nearby.
He heard.
Richard asked to see all of them.
Audrey.
Julian.
Lenora.
Evelyn joined by video call.
Richard lay beneath white sheets, smaller than Audrey had ever seen him.
“I changed the will,” he said.
Audrey sighed.
“Of course you did.”
He smiled weakly.
“Still sarcastic.”
“Still annoying.”
He looked at Julian.
“DNA confirms you’re my son.”
Julian said nothing.
Richard swallowed.
“I won’t ask you to forgive me.”
“Good.”
“But I’m leaving you something.”
Julian’s face tightened.
“I don’t want your money.”
Audrey watched him carefully.
Richard smiled.
“That may be the first time a Bellamy child has said that.”
“What is it?”
“My voting shares.”
Audrey turned.
“What?”
Julian stared.
Richard continued.
“Half to Audrey. Half to Julian.”
Audrey stood.
“Dad.”
“I have reasons.”
“You’re giving company control to a man who found out four days ago that you’re his father?”
“I’m giving it to my children.”
“You barely know him.”
Richard looked at her.
“You knew him well enough to marry him.”
“That is not helping.”
Julian stepped in.
“I don’t want control.”
Richard looked at him.
“You may need it.”
“Why?”
Richard coughed.
“Because Marcus wasn’t Daniel’s only partner.”
Audrey froze.
“What?”
Richard looked at Lenora.
She went pale.
Richard whispered, “There’s one more person.”
Lenora shook her head.
“No.”
Richard nodded.
Audrey looked between them.
“Who?”
Lenora stood.
May you like
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Your mother.”
