CHAPTER 5 — The Secret In The Will
Two days later, Richard collapsed during a board meeting.
Doctors called it stress.
But Emma knew better.
Richard had been hiding chest pain for months.
At the hospital, he held Emma's hand and whispered,
"There is something I should have told you years ago."
Emma leaned closer.
"What is it?"
Richard looked toward the door to make sure no one was listening.
"Your mother did not marry into this family empty-handed."
Emma frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Richard's breathing was weak.
"Before your mother met me... she created the first software that made Carter Technologies possible."
Emma's world stopped.
Her mother?
The quiet woman everyone treated like a guest?
Richard continued.
"When we merged our work, she refused credit. She said my name opened doors faster."
"But half of this company..."
"Was always hers."
Emma's eyes filled with tears.
"Then why didn't she say anything?"
"Because she thought love didn't need proof."
Richard closed his eyes.
"But she was wrong."
He reached under his pillow and handed Emma a key.
"Safety deposit box 914."
"Everything is there."
Before Emma could answer...
Victoria appeared in the doorway.
She had heard enough.
Her eyes locked on the key.
And Emma knew instantly...
The real war had only just begun.
That night, someone broke into Richard's hospital room.
The key disappeared.
The security cameras went black.
And by morning...
Victoria had filed an emergency petition claiming Richard was mentally unfit.
Her demand was simple.
Remove Emma from company control.
Cancel the transfer.
And give power back to Jason.
Emma stood outside the courtroom holding only one thing.
An old notebook.
May you like
Her mother's notebook.
And inside it was a secret even Victoria had never found.
