Chapter 8: The Company My Father Hid From Me
I opened the letter with trembling fingers.
The paper was yellowed and brittle.
My father's handwriting leaned slightly to the right, exactly Me
I opened the letter with trembling fingers.
The paper was yellowed and brittle.
My father's handwriting leaned slightly to the right, exactly as I remembered.
My dearest Ellie,
*If you are reading this, then Richard has finally revealed the man as I remembered.
My dearest Ellie,
If you are reading this, then Richard has finally revealed the man he has always been.
I wish I could have protected you from him.
I wish I had told you everything when he has always been.
I wish I could have protected you from him.
I wish I had told you everything when you were young.
But I made a promise to your mother, and I believed silence would keep you safe.
I stopped you were young.*
But I made a promise to your mother, and I believed silence would keep you safe.
I stopped.
For a moment, I could almost hear Thomas speaking.
His voice had been gentle.
He.
For a moment, I could almost hear Thomas speaking.
His voice had been gentle.
He used to call me Ellie when he wanted me to listen carefully.
I continued.
*Your biological father, James Whitmore, used to call me Ellie when he wanted me to listen carefully.
I continued.
Your biological father, James Whitmore, created a private trust for you. But I discovered that Richard intended to use your inheritance to build a business empire under his control.
created a private trust for you. But I discovered that Richard intended to use your inheritance to build a business empire under his control.
I could not allow that.
So I created another company.
Whitmore Holdings.
It was funded withI could not allow that.
So I created another company.
Whitmore Holdings.
It was funded with my own savings, the proceeds from the hardware business, and several investments I had made over the years.
I placed the controlling interest in a trust for my own savings, the proceeds from the hardware business, and several investments I had made over the years.
I placed the controlling interest in a trust for you.
You were its sole beneficiary.
I looked up.
Robert nodded.
“It's real.””
I continued you.*
You were its sole beneficiary.
I looked up.
Robert nodded.
“It's real.””
I continued reading.
*The company was designed to protect your financial independence. It holds the controlling rights to reading.
The company was designed to protect your financial independence. It holds the controlling rights to several assets and investments, including the original voting structure of Whitmore Global.
Richard has spent years believing he owns the foundation of your empire.
He does not.
He owns only what you several assets and investments, including the original voting structure of Whitmore Global.
Richard has spent years believing he owns the foundation of your empire.
He does not.
He owns only what you allowed him to believe he owned.
My breath caught.
I read the final paragraph.
If Richard ever attempts to take your life or your allowed him to believe he owned.
My breath caught.
I read the final paragraph.
If Richard ever attempts to take your life or your inheritance, contact the trustees named in the attached document.
One of them is still alive.
His inheritance, contact the trustees named in the attached document.
One of them is still alive.
His name is Samuel Carter.
I looked at Robert.
“Who is Samuel Carter?””
He hesitated.
“Your father's old business partner.””
“Where name is Samuel Carter.*
I looked at Robert.
“Who is Samuel Carter?””
He hesitated.
“Your father's old business partner.””
“Where is he?””
“Richmond.””
I closed the letter.
“Then we're going to see him.””
Robert looked uneasy.
is he?””
“Richmond.””
I closed the letter.
“Then we're going to see him.””
Robert looked uneasy.
“Eleanor, there's something else.””
“What?””
“Samuel isn't just a trustee.“Eleanor, there's something else.””
“What?””
“Samuel isn't just a trustee. He's the man who helped Richard establish Whitmore Global.””
I stared at him.
“Why would he help Richard?””
“Because he believed Richard was your legal husband and He's the man who helped Richard establish Whitmore Global.””
I stared at him.
“Why would he help Richard?””
“Because he believed Richard was your legal husband and therefore acting in your interests.””
I looked at the company certificate.
The name Whitmore Holdings was printed in bold therefore acting in your interests.””
I looked at the company certificate.
The name Whitmore Holdings was printed in bold letters.
For decades, Richard had treated my business as something he was entitled to control.
But my father had built a legal letters.
For decades, Richard had treated my business as something he was entitled to control.
But my father had built a legal structure that made that impossible.
He had anticipated this.
He had known Richard might eventually structure that made that impossible.
He had anticipated this.
He had known Richard might eventually come for everything.
And he had left me a way to fight back.
We met Samuel Carter at a small law come for everything.
And he had left me a way to fight back.
We met Samuel Carter at a small law office in Richmond.
He was eighty-one, nearly bald, and walked with a wooden cane.
When he saw me, he office in Richmond.
He was eighty-one, nearly bald, and walked with a wooden cane.
When he saw me, he removed his glasses.
“Eleanor Whitmore.””
I shook his hand.
“Mr. Carter.””
He looked at Robert.
“You found her.””
Robert removed his glasses.
“Eleanor Whitmore.””
I shook his hand.
“Mr. Carter.””
He looked at Robert.
“You found her.””
Robert nodded.
Samuel gestured toward two chairs.
“Sit down. There's a great deal we need to discuss.””
I placed the company certificate on his desk.
“Tell nodded.
Samuel gestured toward two chairs.
“Sit down. There's a great deal we need to discuss.””
I placed the company certificate on his desk.
“Tell me what this is.””
Samuel studied it.
Then he opened a locked cabinet and removed a thick file.
“Your father established me what this is.””
Samuel studied it.
Then he opened a locked cabinet and removed a thick file.
“Your father established Whitmore Holdings in 1979. He wanted to ensure that you would never be financially dependent on Richard.””
“Why didn't anyone tell me?””
“Because Whitmore Holdings in 1979. He wanted to ensure that you would never be financially dependent on Richard.””
“Why didn't anyone tell me?””
“Because Thomas believed Richard would eventually discover the structure. He asked us to keep it confidential until you were ready.””
“Ready for what?””
Samuel Thomas believed Richard would eventually discover the structure. He asked us to keep it confidential until you were ready.””
“Ready for what?””
Samuel looked at me.
“For the day Richard tried to take control.””
I leaned forward.
“Does Whitmore Holdings own looked at me.
“For the day Richard tried to take control.””
I leaned forward.
“Does Whitmore Holdings own a controlling interest in Whitmore Global?””
“It owns the voting rights attached to a significant portion of the original shares.””
“How significant?””
“ a controlling interest in Whitmore Global?””
“It owns the voting rights attached to a significant portion of the original shares.””
“How significant?””
“Sixty-two percent.””
I stared at him.
Sixty-two percent.
The number was so large that I almost laughed.
Sixty-two percent.””
I stared at him.
Sixty-two percent.
The number was so large that I almost laughed.
“Then Richard cannot transfer my controlling shares.””
“Not without authorization from the trust.””
“And who controls the trust?””
Samuel opened“Then Richard cannot transfer my controlling shares.””
“Not without authorization from the trust.””
“And who controls the trust?””
Samuel opened another file.
“You do.””
I sat back.
For the first time since the river, I felt the ground another file.
“You do.””
I sat back.
For the first time since the river, I felt the ground beneath me becoming solid again.
“Then we need to stop tomorrow's board meeting.””
Samuel nodded.
“We can issue an emergency notice.””
“Do it.””
He beneath me becoming solid again.
“Then we need to stop tomorrow's board meeting.””
Samuel nodded.
“We can issue an emergency notice.””
“Do it.””
He picked up the telephone.
But before he could dial, his office door opened.
A woman stepped inside.
She was in her late f picked up the telephone.
But before he could dial, his office door opened.
A woman stepped inside.
She was in her late fifties, wearing a dark green suit.
“Samuel?””
He looked up.
“Margifties, wearing a dark green suit.
“Samuel?””
He looked up.
“Margaret?””
I stood.
It was Margaret Reed.
The woman Richard's men had abducted.
She looked exhausted but unharmed.
Vanessa rushed forward and embraced her.
“Momaret?””
I stood.
It was Margaret Reed.
The woman Richard's men had abducted.
She looked exhausted but unharmed.
Vanessa rushed forward and embraced her.
“Mom!””
Margaret held her tightly.
“I told you I'd be all right.””
I stared at her.
“How did you escape!””
Margaret held her tightly.
“I told you I'd be all right.””
I stared at her.
“How did you escape?””
Margaret turned toward Samuel.
“He arranged it.””
Samuel sighed.
“I had someone watching the property. When Richard's men left, we?””
Margaret turned toward Samuel.
“He arranged it.””
Samuel sighed.
“I had someone watching the property. When Richard's men left, we brought her here.””
I looked at him.
“You knew where she was?””
“Your father asked me to keep an eye on Margaret years ago. She was one of the few people who knew the truth about Richard.””
Margaret approached me.
“I owe brought her here.””
I looked at him.
“You knew where she was?””
“Your father asked me to keep an eye on Margaret years ago. She was one of the few people who knew the truth about Richard.””
Margaret approached me.
“I owe you an apology, Eleanor.””
“For what?””
“For not telling you sooner.””
I shook my head.
“Everyone seems to owe me an apology.””
you an apology, Eleanor.””
“For what?””
“For not telling you sooner.””
I shook my head.
“Everyone seems to owe me an apology.””
She gave a sad smile.
“Then perhaps it's time we stopped apologizing and started telling the truth.””
SamuelShe gave a sad smile.
“Then perhaps it's time we stopped apologizing and started telling the truth.””
Samuel opened a second file.
Inside were original share certificates, trust agreements, and several handwritten instructions from Thomas.
One document caught my attention opened a second file.
Inside were original share certificates, trust agreements, and several handwritten instructions from Thomas.
One document caught my attention.
It was a shareholder agreement signed by Richard forty-six years earlier.
I recognized his signature.
At the bottom was a clause stating that he had no beneficial ownership of the controlling trust assets.
I looked.
It was a shareholder agreement signed by Richard forty-six years earlier.
I recognized his signature.
At the bottom was a clause stating that he had no beneficial ownership of the controlling trust assets.
I looked at Samuel.
“Did Richard know?””
“No.””
“Then how did he build Whitmore Global?””
“Through a series of operating agreements. He believed he was gradually at Samuel.
“Did Richard know?””
“No.””
“Then how did he build Whitmore Global?””
“Through a series of operating agreements. He believed he was gradually acquiring the company as it grew. But your father ensured the original voting rights remained protected acquiring the company as it grew. But your father ensured the original voting rights remained protected.””
I read the agreement again.
“Could Richard have discovered this?””
Samuel nodded.
“Poss.””
I read the agreement again.
“Could Richard have discovered this?””
Samuel nodded.
“Possibly. But he would have needed access to the original trust documents.””
I thought about the ledger.
The missing documents.
The forged signatures.
The attempted transferibly. But he would have needed access to the original trust documents.””
I thought about the ledger.
The missing documents.
The forged signatures.
The attempted transfer.
“That's why he wanted me dead.””
Samuel looked at me.
“Yes.””
The room went silent.
Then Margaret spoke.
“There's.
“That's why he wanted me dead.””
Samuel looked at me.
“Yes.””
The room went silent.
Then Margaret spoke.
“There's something else.””
She removed a small envelope from her handbag.
“Peter Lawson gave this to me shortly something else.””
She removed a small envelope from her handbag.
“Peter Lawson gave this to me shortly before he died.””
I looked at her.
“Peter?””
She nodded.
“He knew Richard and Julian were before he died.””
I looked at her.
“Peter?””
She nodded.
“He knew Richard and Julian were moving money through fake companies. He believed they were planning something much larger.””
She placed the envelope on the desk.
Inside was a printed email.
The sender moving money through fake companies. He believed they were planning something much larger.””
She placed the envelope on the desk.
Inside was a printed email.
The sender was Julian.
The recipient was Richard.
The subject line read:
*PHASE TWO: COMPLETE CONTROL.*
I began reading.
The email described a plan to transfer was Julian.
The recipient was Richard.
The subject line read:
*PHASE TWO: COMPLETE CONTROL.*
I began reading.
The email described a plan to transfer Whitmore Global's assets into a new holding structure.
The process would involve declaring me incapacitated, replacing Whitmore Global's assets into a new holding structure.
The process would involve declaring me incapacitated, replacing the board, and selling the operating divisions to Northstar.
But the final paragraph made my blood run cold.
*Once the board, and selling the operating divisions to Northstar.
But the final paragraph made my blood run cold.
*Once Eleanor is removed, we can eliminate the remaining voting restrictions. Robert will receive his settlement. Vanessa will handle the offshore Eleanor is removed, we can eliminate the remaining voting restrictions.
Robert will receive his settlement. Vanessa will handle the offshore accounts. Peter's situation has already shown us how easily problems disappear.*
I looked up.
“Peter kept this?””
Margaret accounts. Peter's situation has already shown us how easily problems disappear.*
I looked up.
“Peter kept this?””
Margaret nodded.
“He made a copy and sent it to me.””
I turned toward Robert.
“You knew about this email nodded.
“He made a copy and sent it to me.””
I turned toward Robert.
“You knew about this email?””
He shook his head.
“No.””
“Then why did you take the twenty-five million?””
He looked ashamed.
“Because Richard told?””
He shook his head.
“No.””
“Then why did you take the twenty-five million?””
He looked ashamed.
“Because Richard told me he had proof that I had helped conceal Peter's death. He said if I didn't accept the money and sign the settlement me he had proof that I had helped conceal Peter's death. He said if I didn't accept the money and sign the settlement, he'd make sure I went to prison.””
I stared at him.
“Did you?””
Robert looked down.
“I helped move some of the money, he'd make sure I went to prison.””
I stared at him.
“Did you?””
Robert looked down.
“I helped move some of the money. I didn't know Peter would die. But I knew the accounts were fraudulent.””
I leaned back.
“So you. I didn't know Peter would die. But I knew the accounts were fraudulent.””
I leaned back.
“So you were part of it.””
“Yes.””
“And you never told anyone.””
“No.””
I looked at the photograph of my father.
He were part of it.””
“Yes.””
“And you never told anyone.””
“No.””
I looked at the photograph of my father.
He had left me a brother.
But he had also left me a man who had been involved in the very conspiracy now threatening me.
I had left me a brother.
But he had also left me a man who had been involved in the very conspiracy now threatening me.
I didn't know whether I could trust Robert.
I only knew that I needed the truth.
“Samuel,” I said, “I want the entire trust activated. Immediately.””
He nodded.
“I'll begin the process.””
“And I want every document sent didn't know whether I could trust Robert.
I only knew that I needed the truth.
“Samuel,” I said, “I want the entire trust activated. Immediately.””
He nodded.
“I'll begin the process.””
“And I want every document sent to the board.””
“Understood.””
I looked at Margaret.
“Can you testify about Peter?””
to the board.””
“Understood.””
I looked at Margaret.
“Can you testify about Peter?””
She nodded.
“I've waited six years.””
Then I turned toward Robert.
“And you?””
He metShe nodded.
“I've waited six years.””
Then I turned toward Robert.
“And you?””
He met my eyes.
“I'll testify too.””
“Even if it means losing the money?””
He nodded.
“Especially then.””
At my eyes.
“I'll testify too.””
“Even if it means losing the money?””
He nodded.
“Especially then.””
At eleven thirty that morning, Daniel called.
“Eleanor, we have a problem.””
I stepped into the hallway.
“What happened eleven thirty that morning, Daniel called.
“Eleanor, we have a problem.””
I stepped into the hallway.
“What happened?””
“Julian has moved the board meeting forward. They're voting in thirty minutes.””
“Can you stop it?””
“Not without?””
“Julian has moved the board meeting forward. They're voting in thirty minutes.””
“Can you stop it?””
“Not without the trust documents.””
“I'm sending them now.””
“There's another issue. Richard has brought in an outside the trust documents.””
“I'm sending them now.””
“There's another issue. Richard has brought in an outside legal team. They're claiming you are mentally unfit and that your communications are being manipulated by criminals.””
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
legal team. They're claiming you are mentally unfit and that your communications are being manipulated by criminals.””
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
Richard was already preparing to discredit me.
“Have they seen the documents from Whitmore Holdings?””
“Not yet.””
“Richard was already preparing to discredit me.
“Have they seen the documents from Whitmore Holdings?””
“Not yet.””
“Send them to every director. Copy the company's external auditors and independent counsel.””
“Eleanor, if the trust is valid, this could change everything.””
Send them to every director. Copy the company's external auditors and independent counsel.””
“Eleanor, if the trust is valid, this could change everything.””
“It will.””
I returned to Samuel's office.
He had already prepared the documents.
A courier was waiting.
“It will.””
I returned to Samuel's office.
He had already prepared the documents.
A courier was waiting.
“Send them,” I said.
Samuel nodded.
Then he looked at me.
“There's one more thing you should know.””
“What?””
““Send them,” I said.
Samuel nodded.
Then he looked at me.
“There's one more thing you should know.””
“What?””
“Your father included a provision in the trust agreement. If any trustee attempts to transfer the assets fraudulently, theYour father included a provision in the trust agreement. If any trustee attempts to transfer the assets fraudulently, the entire voting structure can be activated in favor of the beneficiary.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
Samuel smiled faintly.
“It entire voting structure can be activated in favor of the beneficiary.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
Samuel smiled faintly.
“It means you don't simply have the right to stop the transfer.””
He slid another document across the desk.
“You have the right to remove anyone who attempts to steal the company.””
I stared at the paper.
For means you don't simply have the right to stop the transfer.””
He slid another document across the desk.
“You have the right to remove anyone who attempts to steal the company.””
I stared at the paper.
For the first time, I understood why Richard had been so desperate.
He hadn't been trying to inherit my company.
He had been trying to steal something the first time, I understood why Richard had been so desperate.
He hadn't been trying to inherit my company.
He had been trying to steal something he had never owned.
And now the legal documents were about to prove it.
At noon, Daniel called again he had never owned.
And now the legal documents were about to prove it.
At noon, Daniel called again.
“Eleanor, the board has received the documents.””
“And?””
“Richard is furious.””
I almost smiled.
“What about Julian?””
“He's refusing to recognize the trust.””
“Does he have a choice.
“Eleanor, the board has received the documents.””
“And?””
“Richard is furious.””
I almost smiled.
“What about Julian?””
“He's refusing to recognize the trust.””
“Does he have a choice?””
“Not if the documents are authenticated.””
I looked at Samuel.
He nodded.
Then Daniel said something that?””
“Not if the documents are authenticated.””
I looked at Samuel.
He nodded.
Then Daniel said something that made my smile disappear.
“Eleanor, Julian has just presented a new document.””
“What document?””
“A signed declaration from Robert made my smile disappear.
“Eleanor, Julian has just presented a new document.””
“What document?””
“A signed declaration from Robert Whitmore.””
I turned toward my brother.
He looked confused.
“What does it say?”” I asked.
Daniel hes Whitmore.””
I turned toward my brother.
He looked confused.
“What does it say?”” I asked.
Daniel hesitated.
“It states that Robert is the rightful beneficiary of the original Whitmore trust.””
I stared at himitated.
“It states that Robert is the rightful beneficiary of the original Whitmore trust.””
I stared at him.
“That isn't possible.””
“There's more. The document claims Thomas Whitmore transferred the controlling interest to Robert shortly.
“That isn't possible.””
“There's more. The document claims Thomas Whitmore transferred the controlling interest to Robert shortly before his death.””
I looked at Robert.
His face had gone white.
“I never signed that,” he whispered.
I took the phone.
“Daniel, send me the document.””
Seconds later, it appeared.
before his death.””
I looked at Robert.
His face had gone white.
“I never signed that,” he whispered.
I took the phone.
“Daniel, send me the document.””
Seconds later, it appeared.
I opened the file.
At the bottom was a signature.
Robert's signature.
But it was dated twentyI opened the file.
At the bottom was a signature.
Robert's signature.
But it was dated twenty-seven years earlier.
I looked at my brother.
“Did you ever sign anything like this?””
He shook his head.
“No.””
Then he-seven years earlier.
I looked at my brother.
“Did you ever sign anything like this?””
He shook his head.
“No.””
Then he stared at the document for a long moment.
And whispered:
“Eleanor, that's my signature stared at the document for a long moment.
May you like
And whispered:
“Eleanor, that's my signature.””
