Chapter 18: My Husband's Search for My Sister
I couldn't understand why Marcus had been searching for Olivia.
He already had Vivian.
He already had the company.
He had already attempted to take my inheritance and control Amelia's trust.
What did my sister have to do with any of it?
Andrea examined the adoption documents again.
"There's a separate beneficiary reference here.""
She pointed to a paragraph near the bottom.
"Olivia was included in the original family agreement as a protected child. Her identity was concealed because Richard believed public knowledge of her parentage could expose her to pressure.""
I looked at Eleanor.
"Did Richard ever mention her?""
Eleanor shook her head.
"He told me Evelyn had a daughter, but I didn't know she had been included in the trust.""
Andrea turned another page.
"There's a provision here stating that each biological child of Richard Hale has an independent claim to a protected portion of the original assets.""
I stared.
"Then Marcus isn't the only heir.""
"No," Andrea replied.
"And he may not even hold the largest claim.""
Eleanor sat down heavily.
"Richard must have created this arrangement after discovering how badly his children could be affected by the family business.""
I looked at the adoption record.
"Can we find Olivia?""
Andrea nodded.
"We have an address, but we need to verify whether it's current.""
Daniel joined us by video call.
He looked exhausted.
"I've been searching for her too.""
I held up the document.
"She's my sister.""
He nodded.
"Yes.""
"Did you know?""
"I suspected Evelyn had another child, but I didn't know the adoption had been completed.""
I looked at him.
"Why did Marcus request her records?""
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"Because he believes Olivia can challenge the trust.""
"Can she?""
"She may have rights under the original agreement. But that's not the real problem.""
"What is?""
Daniel leaned closer to the camera.
"Marcus thinks Olivia has the original voting certificate.""
Andrea immediately looked at the documents.
"Which certificate?""
"The one Richard created for the protected children. It represents a separate voting interest in the company.""
I felt cold.
"Does Olivia know?""
"I don't think so.""
Eleanor shook her head.
"Richard would never have wanted her dragged into this.""
Daniel continued.
"Marcus contacted an attorney three weeks ago asking for her adoption records. He wanted to establish her identity before the trust investigation became public.""
Andrea's expression hardened.
"That could be an attempt to pressure her into surrendering her rights.""
I stared at the screen.
"Then we need to find her before he does.""
Daniel nodded.
"I can help.""
The next afternoon, Andrea received confirmation that the Charlotte address was current.
We traveled there with a local attorney.
The house was modest, with a small front porch and a row of potted plants beside the steps.
I stood outside for several seconds.
My heart was pounding.
I had spent my entire life believing I was an only child.
Now I was about to meet a woman who had shared my mother and father in ways I couldn't begin to understand.
Andrea knocked.
A woman opened the door.
She had shoulder-length dark hair, warm brown eyes, and a small scar near her chin.
She looked at us cautiously.
"Can I help you?""
I swallowed.
"Are you Olivia Bennett?""
Her expression changed.
"Who wants to know?""
"My name is Claire.""
She stared at me.
For several seconds, she didn't move.
Then she looked toward Andrea.
"Did Marcus send you?""
I felt my stomach drop.
"You know Marcus?""
She stepped back.
"Come inside.""
The living room was filled with books, framed family photographs, and a large wooden dining table.
Olivia remained standing.
"Why are you here?""
I placed the adoption document on the table.
"Because I think we're sisters.""
She looked at the paper.
Then she slowly sat down.
"How did you find this?""
"My mother left it.""
Olivia covered her mouth.
"Margaret?""
I nodded.
Tears immediately filled her eyes.
"She was the woman who used to visit me when I was little.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"You remember her?""
Olivia nodded.
"She came to see me every Christmas. She brought books and little gifts. I thought she was a family friend.""
I sat opposite her.
"She was my mother.""
Olivia began crying.
"She told me I had a sister once.""
I reached across the table.
"She was talking about me.""
Olivia looked at me for a long moment.
Then she asked the question I had been afraid to hear.
"Why did nobody tell me?""
I didn't know how to answer.
Instead, I told her everything.
About Marcus.
About Vivian.
About the attempted transfer.
About the missing shareholder register.
About the family trust.
When I finished, Olivia stood and walked toward a bookshelf.
She pulled out a small wooden box.
"I think this belongs to you.""
Inside was an old photograph of my mother holding Olivia as a baby.
Beside it was a sealed letter.
The envelope read:
For Olivia, when the family comes looking.
Olivia opened it carefully.
My mother's handwriting appeared on the page.
My sweet girl,
If someone from the Hale family comes asking about your identity, do not sign anything. Do not surrender any documents. And do not believe anyone who tells you that your existence is a threat to the family.
You have rights. You have a place in this family. And you have a sister.
Olivia looked at me.
Her eyes were full of tears.
"She knew this day might come.""
I nodded.
Then Olivia reached into the wooden box again.
She removed a small metal certificate.
Andrea stood immediately.
"May I see that?""
Olivia handed it to her.
Andrea examined the document.
Her expression changed dramatically.
"Claire, this is the original protected voting certificate.""
I stared.
"Is it real?""
Andrea nodded.
"It's exactly what Daniel described.""
Olivia looked confused.
"What does it mean?""
Andrea explained.
"It means you hold a protected voting interest in Hale Development. And according to the original agreement, your consent is required before certain ownership changes can occur.""
Olivia looked at me.
"Does that mean Marcus needs me?""
"Yes," Andrea replied.
"Then why did he send someone to my house last week?""
I froze.
"Someone came here?""
Olivia nodded.
"A man claiming to represent Marcus. He offered me money to sign a document confirming I had no interest in the company.""
Andrea leaned forward.
"Did you sign?""
"No.""
Olivia opened a drawer and removed a business card.
"I kept his information.""
Andrea examined it.
Then she looked at me.
The attorney's name was Gregory Shaw.
Marcus's lawyer.
But Olivia wasn't finished.
"He left something else.""
She handed me a photograph.
It showed Marcus standing outside her house two days earlier.
He was holding a large envelope.
And beneath the photograph, Olivia had written a sentence.
He told me that if I refused to sign, he would make sure my sister lost her baby.
I felt the room go cold.
Before I could respond, my phone rang.
Marcus.
I answered.
His voice was unusually calm.
"Claire, I know where you are.""
I looked at Olivia.
"What do you want?""
"I want you to leave Olivia out of this.""
"She's my sister.""
"She's a complication.""
"She's your sister too.""
He laughed bitterly.
"Don't pretend you understand what that means.""
I tightened my grip on the phone.
"What are you going to do?""
His answer was quiet.
"Tomorrow, I'm announcing the sale of Hale Development. If Olivia and Daniel don't sign their agreements, I'll make sure nobody gets anything.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
Then he added:
"And Claire, if you want Amelia to have a father, you'll come to the announcement alone.""
The call ended.
Olivia looked at me.
"He's not going to stop, is he?""
I placed my hand over my stomach.
"No.""
Andrea closed the folder.
"Then tomorrow, we stop him.""
May you like
But none of us knew that Marcus had already prepared one final document.
A document that could destroy everything we had uncovered if he managed to get it signed before the original trust was formally restored.
