Chapter 13: The Company That Belonged to Me
For several seconds, I thought I had misunderstood my grandfather.
“I'm sorry. What did you just say?””
Edward looked at the silver key resting in my palm.
“Your grandmother left you ownership of the company.””
Daniel leaned forward.
“What company?””
Edward stood slowly and walked toward an old bookcase.
He removed a thick leather folder from behind several books and placed it on the coffee table.
“Jones Holdings.””
Daniel's eyebrows rose.
I recognized the name.
Everyone in our family knew it.
Jones Holdings had started as a small construction business before expanding into commercial property, logistics, and several investment companies. By the time Grandma died, it controlled assets worth several million dollars.
I had never been told I owned any part of it.
“Grandma owned that company,” I whispered.
Edward nodded.
“She and I built it together. Michael joined us later as a financial manager. Eventually, he convinced us to let him oversee several subsidiaries.””
Daniel examined the folder.
“But Robert told me Michael was a business partner, not an owner.””
“That's correct. Michael was never the majority owner.””
Edward opened the folder.
Inside were company registration documents, shareholder agreements, and several old photographs.
He pointed to a page.
“Your grandmother transferred her controlling interest into a family holding structure before she died. She divided the beneficial ownership between you and Vanessa.””
I stared at him.
“Both of us?””
“Yes. But there was a condition.””
He turned the page.
“Neither beneficiary could independently sell, transfer, or pledge their shares without approval from the independent trustee. Your grandmother wanted to prevent anyone from manipulating either of you.””
Daniel studied the document.
“Then why was Vanessa trying to get Emily's signature?””
Edward looked at him.
“Because Emily's signature would have given her access to the controlling vote.””
My stomach tightened.
I looked at the shareholder schedule.
My name appeared beside a percentage.
Forty-five percent.
Vanessa's name appeared beside another.
Twenty-five percent.
The remaining thirty percent belonged to a charitable foundation established by Grandma.
I stared at the figures.
“Why does Vanessa have less than I do?””
Edward smiled sadly.
“Because your grandmother believed you would protect the company rather than use it to impress people.””
I looked down.
I had never wanted to run a company.
I had never dreamed of becoming wealthy.
I had wanted a quiet life, a decent job, and a family that didn't treat every disagreement like a competition.
“Then why didn't anyone tell me?””
“Because your grandmother asked me to wait until you were ready.””
“Ready for what?””
“To understand that owning something doesn't mean you have to become someone else.””
He closed the folder.
“Your grandmother knew Michael would eventually try to take control. She also knew Vanessa was vulnerable to his influence.””
I looked at the photograph of Vanessa and Michael.
“Did she know Vanessa would help him?””
“I don't think she knew how far Vanessa would go.””
Daniel leaned forward.
“What happens now?””
Edward answered immediately.
“The trustee can suspend any disputed voting rights until the investigation is complete. But Emily's ownership is already protected by the original agreement.””
I felt a strange mixture of relief and anger.
Vanessa had pushed me into a pool.
Michael had followed me.
Mom had helped conceal the truth.
And all of them had been fighting over something I hadn't even known belonged to me.
My phone vibrated.
A message from James.
The police have requested that you come in. Michael's lawyer has made a statement, and there is new information about Vanessa.
I showed Daniel.
He stood.
“Let's go.””
At the police station, Thomas Reed was waiting with James.
He looked more serious than before.
“Emily, we've reviewed the new documents from your grandfather.””
“Did you find anything?””
“Yes.””
He placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Michael entering a parking garage.
A second person stood beside him.
Vanessa.
I stared.
“When was this taken?””
“Three weeks before your accident.””
Thomas placed another photograph beside it.
This one showed Vanessa handing Michael an envelope.
“The security footage was recovered from a nearby business.””
Daniel leaned closer.
“What's in the envelope?””
“We don't know yet.””
Thomas opened a file.
“However, Michael has now provided a partial statement.””
I frowned.
“He's cooperating?””
“Not exactly. He's attempting to place responsibility on Vanessa.””
I felt my stomach drop.
“What did he say?””
Thomas looked at me.
“He claims Vanessa knew the vehicle was going to follow you.””
Daniel stood.
“She knew?””
Thomas nodded.
“According to Michael, Vanessa supplied your schedule and told him when you would be alone.””
My fingers went cold.
I remembered the message.
Friday. 8:30 p.m.
Thomas continued.
“Michael claims the original intention was to pressure you into signing the trust documents, not to cause serious physical harm.””
I stared at him.
“Then why did the car hit mine?””
“He says the driver panicked when you attempted to escape.””
I felt sick.
“Is that what he told you?””
“Yes.””
“And you believe him?””
Thomas shook his head.
“We're verifying every part of the statement.””
Daniel looked furious.
“What about Vanessa?””
“She has been informed that further questioning is required.””
I looked at James.
“Can she still access the company?””
“No. We've already asked the trustee to suspend disputed transactions and restrict access to sensitive records.””
I exhaled.
Then Thomas added something unexpected.
“There's another issue. Michael says Vanessa received money from him before the accident.””
“How much?””
“Eighty thousand dollars.””
I looked down.
The same amount Vanessa had admitted borrowing.
But then Thomas opened another document.
“There were additional transfers.””
He turned the page.
The total was two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
I looked at Daniel.
The wedding agreement.
The money.
The forged signature.
Everything was connected.
“Where did that money go?””
Thomas answered.
“Some was used for wedding expenses. Some went toward personal debts. The remainder was transferred to an account we believe Vanessa controlled.””
Daniel sat down.
He looked devastated.
I reached for his hand.
“Daniel?””
He looked at me.
“I thought I knew her.””
“I know.””
He shook his head.
“I was going to spend my life with her.””
I squeezed his hand.
“That's not your fault.””
For the first time, he allowed himself to look upset.
That evening, I received a call from Vanessa's lawyer.
He informed me that his client wanted to meet.
I initially refused.
Then he explained that Vanessa had offered to provide information about Michael in exchange for cooperation.
James advised me not to attend without legal representation.
I agreed.
The meeting took place the following morning in a secure interview room.
Vanessa entered wearing a grey sweater and no makeup.
She looked smaller than I remembered.
Her eyes were swollen.
For once, she wasn't smiling.
She sat opposite me.
“Emily.””
I said nothing.
She looked at Daniel, then at James.
“Can we talk privately?””
“No,” I replied.
Her lips tightened.
“Fine.””
She folded her hands.
“I didn't know Michael would cause the accident.””
I stared at her.
“Did you give him my schedule?””
She looked down.
“Yes.””
“Did you know he was following me?””
“Yes.””
My chest tightened.
“Why?””
“Because he told me he needed to talk to you.””
“And you believed him?””
“I needed him to help me.””
I shook my head.
“You put my life in danger because you needed money?””
Vanessa began crying.
“I didn't think it would happen like that.””
I leaned forward.
“Do you know what I remember from that night?””
She looked up.
“The headlights. The sound of metal crushing. Waking up in the hospital and not being able to move my arm.””
Her face crumpled.
“I know.””
“No, Vanessa. You don't.””
I paused.
“Then you pushed me into a swimming pool.””
She started sobbing.
“I was angry.””
“Because I wouldn't sign your papers?””
She nodded.
“And because Daniel was paying attention to me.””
I stared at her.
She looked away.
Then she whispered:
“Michael told me the accident would scare you into cooperating.””
James immediately leaned forward.
“Are you saying Michael instructed you to arrange the accident?””
Vanessa froze.
Her lawyer looked at her sharply.
But the words had already been spoken.
May you like
And for the first time, Vanessa had admitted that the accident wasn't an unfortunate coincidence.
It had been part of a plan.
