CHAPTER 4 — The Granddaughter Who Knew A Secret No Adult Could Explain
Nobody noticed the little girl at first.
She stood quietly beside Amelia, clutching the old one-eyed teddy bear against her chest.
Twelve years old.
Dark brown hair tied into a loose braid.
Bright gray eyes that looked strangely familiar.
Richard stared at her.
His voice barely worked.
"What... what's your name?"
The girl answered politely.
"Lily."
Amelia smiled.
"She's my daughter."
Richard knelt before her.
His hands trembled as he reached toward the child.
"May I..."
"...hug you?"
Lily hesitated.
She looked at Amelia first.
Only after Amelia nodded did the little girl step forward.
Richard wrapped his arms around her and broke into uncontrollable sobs.
For twenty-five years...
He had believed he lost a daughter.
Now...
He had gained both a daughter and a granddaughter on the same night.
But Michael wasn't crying.
He was watching.
Watching everything.
Watching Amelia.
Watching the lawyer.
Watching the inheritance documents still lying open on the dining table.
His mind wasn't on family.
It was on billions of dollars.
He quietly walked toward the lawyer.
"If Amelia is alive..."
"The inheritance changes."
The lawyer nodded.
"Yes."
Michael swallowed hard.
"How much?"
The lawyer looked around the room before answering.
"Approximately..."
"...four hundred and eighty-seven million dollars."
The ballroom erupted.
Claire nearly fainted.
Several distant relatives immediately stepped away from Michael.
Suddenly...
Everyone understood why Richard had looked terrified.
Amelia had not simply returned.
She had legally become the largest shareholder of Whitmore Industries.
The entire empire...
No longer belonged to Michael.
Michael slowly forced a smile.
Then walked toward Amelia.
He hugged her.
Too tightly.
"So happy you're home..."
he whispered.
But Amelia felt something cold pressed into her hand.
A folded note.
She waited until no one was watching before opening it.
Only seven words were written inside.
May you like
Don't trust anyone at this party.
Someone already wants you dead.
