Chapter 9 - My Mother Revealed the DNA Test Was a Trap Designed to Turn Nathaniel and Daniel Against Each OtherClaire was finally freed after Nathaniel's men overpowered Marcus's guards.

But Marcus escaped.

Again.

We returned to Graves Tower.

Claire sat across from Nathaniel and Daniel.

I sat beside her.

She held my hand.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Why didn't you tell me about Dad?"

"Because I wanted you to have a normal life."

I looked around the enormous room.

"Did I?"

She smiled sadly.

"No."

Nathaniel leaned forward.

"Tell us everything."

Claire took a deep breath.

"Your father wasn't trying to kill Ruby because of inheritance."

Nathaniel frowned.

"Then why?"

"Because Ruby saw something."

I blinked.

"What?"

"When you were three months old, Daniel discovered the ledger."

She looked at Nathaniel.

"He wanted to expose the family."

Nathaniel nodded.

"Father knew."

"Yes."

"But why would he fear a baby?"

Claire looked at me.

"Because you were present when the ledger was moved."

"I was a baby."

"You don't remember."

She paused.

"But you carried something."

"What?"

"A stuffed rabbit."

I remembered.

My mother had kept that rabbit for years.

It was pink.

One ear was missing.

"Where is it?" Claire asked.

"At home."

Nathaniel immediately stood.

"We need to find it."

But before we could leave, the elevator opened.

Marcus stepped out.

He was alone.

No guards.

No weapon.

He looked exhausted.

"I want to make a deal."

Nathaniel aimed his gun.

"Talk."

Marcus looked at Claire.

"I didn't kidnap her."

Claire frowned.

"Then who did?"

Marcus swallowed.

"Your father."

Nathaniel's expression changed.

"Where is he?"

Marcus shook his head.

"Dead."

"You said he was alive."

"I lied."

"Why?"

Marcus looked at me.

"Because he wanted Ruby to come here."

"Why?"

Marcus's voice broke.

"Because he knew something nobody else did."

"What?"

"Ruby has the original ledger."

I stared at him.

"No, I don't."

Marcus shook his head.

"You don't know you have it."

He looked at Claire.

"Tell her."

My mother began crying.

"I couldn't."

"Tell her."

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Claire finally whispered:

"The rabbit."