Chapter 20: The Fortune Built on a Lie
The phrase haunted me.
*Where the money began.*
For two days, I searched through every document we had.
Business records.
Bank statements.
Old contracts.
Anything connected to my father, Thomas, and Patricia.
But the answer remained hidden.
Until Adrian found something.
“Jenna.””
I looked up.
He was standing in my apartment doorway holding a file.
“What is it?””
He walked inside.
“I asked my family’s investigators to look into Thomas Reed.””
My stomach tightened.
“And?””
“He wasn't always Thomas Reed.””
I stared.
“What?””
Adrian placed the file on the table.
“His original name was Thomas Reidson.””
I frowned.
“That doesn't mean anything.””
“It does.””
He opened another document.
“Twenty-five years ago, he was involved in a financial scandal.””
I read the page.
A company collapse.
Missing funds.
Investigation closed.
I looked at Adrian.
“How did he avoid charges?””
“He made a deal.””
“With who?””
Adrian looked at me.
“Your father.””
I froze.
“No.””
“Yes.””
“That’s impossible.””
“It’s in the records.””
I grabbed the document.
My hands moved faster as I read.
My father had helped Thomas avoid prosecution.
In exchange, Thomas became his business partner.
I sat down.
My entire understanding of my father changed again.
He wasn't just a victim.
He had history with this man.
“Why didn't he tell me?””
Adrian didn't answer.
Because we both knew.
Shame.
Fear.
Pride.
The things people hide until hiding becomes more destructive than the truth.
I confronted my father that night.
He opened the door and immediately knew.
“You found out.””
I stared.
“You knew about Thomas.””
He closed his eyes.
“Yes.””
“How long?””
“Before you were born.””
The answer shocked me.
I stepped back.
“Explain.””
My father sat down.
“I was young.””
“That’s not an explanation.””
He nodded.
“You’re right.””
For once, he didn't defend himself.
“Thomas made mistakes. Big ones. I believed he deserved another chance.””
“And he repaid you by destroying your family?””
My father looked devastated.
“I didn't know.””
“But you knew enough.””
He was silent.
That was the problem.
My father always knew enough.
Enough to question.
Enough to notice.
Enough to stop things.
But never enough to act.
“What happened after Mom found out?””
His face changed.
“She confronted Thomas.””
My heart raced.
“She did?””
“Yes.””
“What did he say?””
My father looked toward the window.
“He threatened her.””
I felt a chill.
“With what?””
“He said if she exposed him, he would destroy everything.””
“Did you know?””
“Yes.””
My voice became quiet.
“You knew someone threatened my mother.””
He looked at me.
“I was scared.””
I shook my head.
“You keep saying that.””
Because I was tired of hearing it.
Everyone in my life was scared.
My father was scared.
Felicity was scared.
Patricia was scared.
But somehow, their fear always became my pain.
The next morning, something unexpected happened.
Felicity showed up at my apartment.
I almost didn't open the door.
But I did.
She looked terrified.
“Jenna.””
“What happened?””
She held out her phone.
“I found something.””
I stared.
“Where?””
“Patricia’s things.””
My expression changed.
“You went through her belongings?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Her eyes filled.
“Because I finally realized she never saw me as family.””
That sentence hurt.
Because I knew exactly how that felt.
“What did you find?””
She handed me the phone.
A photograph.
A document.
A name.
Thomas Reed.
I looked at her.
“She was working with him.””
Felicity nodded.
“I know.””
“How?””
“Because I heard them talking.””
“When?””
“Before my wedding.””
My stomach dropped.
“You knew?””
She looked ashamed.
“I didn't understand.””
I stared.
“You knew something was wrong and you still married Adrian?””
Tears filled her eyes.
“I thought I could fix it.””
The irony almost made me laugh.
Everyone thought they could fix things.
After causing damage.
“I was afraid,” she whispered.
I looked at her.
This time, I didn't feel anger.
I felt sadness.
Because Felicity had spent her entire life trying to become powerful.
And she had never realized she was being controlled.
“What did you hear?””
She swallowed.
“Thomas said the wedding was the final step.””
“Final step for what?””
Her answer was quiet.
“To get access to the Montgomery trust.””
I froze.
The plan was bigger than we thought.
The marriage.
The reputation.
The lies.
Everything was part of one strategy.
And suddenly, I understood.
May you like
Patricia wasn't trying to join the Montgomery family.
She was trying to take it.
