Chapter 6 - THE BROTHER WHO SOLD HIS MOTHER
Liam Vance had always lived in Marcus's shadow.
Marcus was the brilliant engineer.
The founder.
The visionary.
The man whose photograph appeared on magazine covers.
Liam was the younger brother who managed partnerships, negotiated acquisitions, and attended events where people asked whether Marcus would be joining them.
For years, Liam told himself he deserved more.
Camille knew exactly how to use that resentment.
Investigators later reconstructed the scheme through financial records, communications, and witness interviews.
Camille had introduced Liam to intermediaries representing a foreign investment consortium.
The consortium wanted access to the medical patent portfolio.
Liam wanted a controlling interest in the holding company that would acquire it.
Camille wanted her share.
Together, they planned to use Margaret's deteriorating public reputation as a reason to remove her from the foundation's leadership.
They began by isolating her.
Restricting her access to the penthouse.
Canceling appointments.
Intercepting messages.
And arranging for Dr. Sterling, a physician retained through Camille's office, to issue reports suggesting severe cognitive impairment.
But there was a problem.
Margaret was blind.
Not incompetent.
Her arthritis affected her hands.
Not her judgment.
And the neurological assessments performed by independent specialists did not support the claims Camille had made.
When Marcus learned this, he sat in silence for nearly an hour.
Then he called his brother.
Liam answered on the third ring.
“Marcus.”
“Why?”
A pause.
“What?”
“Why did you do this to Mom?”
Liam laughed bitterly.
“You always make everything emotional.”
“You forced her thumb onto a document.”
“She was already supposed to sign it.”
“She refused.”
“She doesn't understand the business anymore.”
Marcus's voice hardened.
“She understands exactly what you did.”
Liam went silent.
Then said, “You think you're better than me because you invented a few machines?”
Marcus closed his eyes.
“This isn't about me.”
“It's always about you.”
The call ended badly.
Marcus did not threaten Liam.
He preserved the conversation through lawful means and referred the matter to counsel.
But afterward, he sat alone in his office.
I found him there when I arrived to collect Margaret's medication records.
He looked up.
“Do you think people can change?”
I hesitated.
“Yes.”
“Even people who've done terrible things?”
“Sometimes.”
He nodded.
“And if they don't?”
I looked at him.
“Then we still have to protect the people they've hurt.”
He studied me.
“Is that what you did for my mother?”
“Yes.”
“Even when Camille threatened Lucia?”
My throat tightened.
“I was terrified.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
I looked down.
“But your mother was terrified too.”
Marcus stood.
For a moment, I thought he might come closer.
Instead, he stopped at a respectful distance.
“Maya, I don't know how to repay what you did.”
I shook my head.
“Then don't.”
He looked surprised.
May you like
I smiled faintly.
“Just make sure it never happens again.”
