Chapter 7 - The Unspoken Truth
That night, Ethan used the silver key to open Arthur’s old private study in the basement, a room that had been locked since his passing. Searching behind a row of ancient law books, he found a small wall safe. Inside lay Arthur’s black ledger.
As Ethan turned the pages, the dark reality of his family’s wealth was laid bare. Julian hadn't just inherited the family business; he had systematically embezzled funds from Arthur’s trust fund, leaving Lily’s medical fund severely depleted to cover high-risk corporate debts. More horrifyingly, the documents revealed that Arthur had discovered Julian’s financial fraud just weeks before his untimely "accident."
Ethan sat in the dim light of the study, his hands shaking. The coldness in the mansion wasn't just a lack of affection; it was built on calculated cruelty. Julian kept Lily hidden not because of her physical condition, but to maintain absolute control over her inheritance and prevent anyone from looking too closely into Arthur’s affairs.
