Chapter 9 - THE SECRET INSIDE THE RING
The breakthrough came from the most unexpected place.
Victoria's engagement ring.
Naomi Pierce had arranged an independent examination of the jewelry after learning that Victoria claimed it had once contained evidence.
The jeweler found no storage device.
But beneath the central stone was a microscopic engraving.
A sequence of numbers.
At first, it appeared meaningless.
Then Margaret Shaw recognized the format.
An old archival reference used by the Whitmore Foundation.
The reference pointed to a storage box held by a document preservation company.
Ethan obtained the appropriate legal authorization to access records connected to the foundation.
Inside were copies of financial documents.
Correspondence.
And a sealed memorandum prepared by his grandfather.
The memorandum described concerns about Charles's management of foundation assets.
It also referenced June Summers.
My mother.
I stared at her name.
She had provided information supporting the internal inquiry.
The records did not prove every allegation.
But they were enough to justify further investigation.
Then Naomi found something else.
A letter from Ethan's grandfather.
Addressed to Ethan.
My grandson,
If you are reading this, it means the family has reached a point I hoped to prevent.
Wealth can make a man believe he is above consequence.
Do not become that man.
Protect the company by protecting the people who depend on it.
Ethan read the letter in silence.
Then handed it to me.
At the bottom was one final sentence.
And if you ever meet June Summers's daughter, remember that her mother was braver than most men in my boardroom.
My eyes filled.
Ethan looked at me.
“Claire.”
I laughed through tears.
“Your grandfather knew my mother.”
He nodded.
Then he smiled faintly.
“Apparently he thought very highly of her.”
I looked at the letter.
For the first time, the past didn't feel like a trap.
It felt like a bridge.
But the investigation was far from over.
That evening, Naomi received an anonymous message.
RICHARD HALE DIDN'T LEAK THE AGREEMENT.
May you like
A second message followed.
ASK WHO PAID FOR VICTORIA'S RETURN FLIGHT.
