Chapter 7: The Uncle Who Sold His Own Blood
For a moment, Daniel thought he had misunderstood.
"Uncle Robert?""
Mia nodded, clutching her phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
Arthur stood motionless beside the console table. His cane rested against his leg, and his expression had become unreadable.
"That is impossible," Arthur said.
Mia gave a bitter laugh.
"Is it? Your brother has been helping me for months.""
Arthur's eyes narrowed.
"My brother has been retired for six years.""
"Retired from running his own company," Mia replied.
"Not from making money.""
Tiana stepped forward.
"You're telling us Uncle Robert helped you steal from Grandpa?""
"I'm telling you that Robert approached me first. He said Arthur had been making decisions that would eventually leave Daniel with nothing. He said the company was worth far more than anyone in the family understood.""
Arthur shook his head.
"Robert has never been involved in Mitchell Development.""
"He was involved enough to know about the reserve accounts. He knew which documents your father kept in his study. He even knew when your attorney was scheduled to visit.""
Daniel stared at her.
"How?""
Mia hesitated.
"Robert used to work with the company's original accountants. He still knows people who have access to the financial records.""
Arthur's jaw tightened.
"That would mean someone has been giving him confidential information.""
"Someone has," Mia said.
"Who?""
"I don't know.""
"You expect me to believe that?""
Mia's eyes flashed.
"You expect me to confess everything while you stand there pretending you've never made a mistake?""
Arthur didn't answer.
Daniel stepped between them.
"Enough. We need facts, not another argument.""
He held out his hand toward Mia.
"Show me the messages.""
She hesitated.
"Daniel—"
"Now.""
For several seconds, she looked as though she might refuse. Then she unlocked her phone and handed it over.
Daniel scrolled through the conversation.
The earliest messages dated back seven months.
Robert had sent Mia financial projections, screenshots of company records, and detailed instructions about approaching the investment opportunity. Several messages discussed Daniel's debts before Daniel himself had admitted them to anyone.
One message made Daniel's blood run cold.
*ROBERT: Once Daniel is desperate enough, he'll agree to anything. Arthur's affection is his weakness. Use it.*
Daniel read it twice.
Then he looked at Mia.
"He knew about my debts before I borrowed the money from Dad.""
Mia lowered her eyes.
"He said he had access to information about the investment.""
"He knew I was going to lose everything?""
"He said the company was unstable.""
"That's not what I asked.""
Her voice became almost inaudible.
"Yes.""
Daniel handed the phone to Arthur.
His father read the message, then slowly lowered the device.
For a moment, the only sound in the hallway was the quiet hum of the security system.
"Why?"" Tiana asked.
"Why would Uncle Robert do this to his own family?""
Arthur stared toward the staircase.
"Your uncle has always believed that I was given opportunities he deserved.""
"Given?"" Daniel asked.
Arthur nodded.
"When we were young, Robert and I started a construction business together. He was clever, persuasive, and very good at finding investors. But he wanted quick profits. I wanted to build something that could survive a bad year.""
"What happened?""
"We disagreed about a development project. Robert borrowed against money the company didn't have, expecting a sale to close before the payments came due. The sale collapsed. I used my savings to protect our employees and pay the creditors.""
Arthur paused.
"Robert believed I had humiliated him. He left the business and never forgave me.""
Tiana frowned.
"But that was decades ago.""
"Resentment doesn't always grow old with the person carrying it," Arthur replied.
"Sometimes it simply learns to dress better.""
Daniel looked down at the phone.
The messages revealed something worse than resentment.
Robert had known exactly how to reach him.
He had used Daniel's ambition, his fear of failure, and his desperate desire to prove himself. He had offered a way out of debt, then helped create the circumstances that made the debt impossible to escape.
But Mia had chosen to participate.
And Daniel had chosen to believe her.
"Call him," Daniel said.
Arthur looked at him.
"Not yet.""
"Why not?""
"Because if Robert is involved, he will deny everything unless we can establish what happened.""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"He's my uncle. If he has an explanation, he can give it to my face.""
Arthur considered him.
Then he nodded toward the phone.
"Call him. Put him on speaker.""
Mia shook her head urgently.
"You don't understand. Robert won't come here.""
"Then we'll speak to him where he is," Daniel said.
He selected Robert's number.
The phone rang once.
Twice.
On the fourth ring, a familiar voice answered.
"Daniel. What a surprise.""
Daniel's face hardened at the casual warmth in his uncle's voice.
"Uncle Robert, we need to talk.""
"Of course, son. What's happened?""
Daniel glanced at Mia.
"Did you help my wife transfer money out of Dad's company?""
Silence.
It lasted only two seconds, but everyone heard it.
Then Robert chuckled.
"That's a serious accusation.""
"Answer the question.""
"Daniel, I think you're upset. Your father has a habit of turning every family disagreement into a business investigation.""
Arthur stepped closer to the phone.
"Robert.""
The chuckle disappeared.
"Arthur.""
"Did you encourage Mia to take money from the company?""
Robert sighed.
"Brother, you've always assumed the worst of people.""
"Did you?""
"People are struggling, Arthur. Your own son is struggling. You sit on a fortune while the people around you beg for help.""
Arthur's eyes narrowed.
"That is not an answer.""
"Perhaps you should ask yourself why your family feels it must go behind your back to survive.""
Daniel gripped the edge of the console table.
"Did you know the investment was failing?""
Robert paused.
Then he said, "I know many investments fail.""
"You introduced me to Meridian.""
"I introduced you to a contact. What you did with your money was your decision.""
"You told me the company was legitimate.""
"I told you to do your research.""
Daniel stared at the phone.
"You sent me financial projections.""
"That you chose to believe.""
Tiana whispered, "He's avoiding the questions.""
Robert heard her.
"Tiana, sweetheart, I suggest you stay out of this. You don't understand the pressures your brother has been under.""
Tiana stepped closer to the phone.
"I understand that you used those pressures against him.""
Robert laughed coldly.
"Used him? I offered him an opportunity.""
"An opportunity that cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars.""
"Then perhaps he shouldn't have invested money he couldn't afford to lose.""
Daniel flinched.
Arthur watched his son's face.
"Robert," he said, "I want you to come to the house.""
"Why?""
"Because I intend to have my attorney examine the company's records, and your name has appeared in communications concerning unauthorized transfers.""
Robert's tone changed.
"Be careful, Arthur.""
"Is that a threat?""
"It's advice. You're seventy-two years old. You have a business to protect, a family to think about, and a reputation that won't survive a public scandal.""
Arthur's face remained composed.
"My reputation is not worth more than the truth.""
Robert exhaled sharply.
"You always were a stubborn old man.""
"And you always mistook patience for weakness.""
Another silence followed.
Then Robert said, "Ask Mia about the original contract.""
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
"What contract?""
Robert ignored him.
"Ask her what she signed before she ever approached you about Meridian.""
Mia went rigid.
Arthur turned toward her.
Robert continued, his voice almost amused.
"You may discover that your wife has been keeping something from you, too.""
Daniel stared at Mia.
"What did you sign?""
She shook her head.
"He's lying.""
Robert laughed.
"Of course I am. I'm the villain now, aren't I?""
"Uncle Robert," Daniel said, "what did she sign?""
Robert's voice became flat.
"Ask her who was supposed to receive the company shares after Arthur died.""
Arthur's fingers tightened around the cane.
"Robert, if you have evidence of a crime, provide it to my attorney. Otherwise, stop calling this family.""
"Gladly.""
The line went dead.
Daniel lowered the phone.
Mia stood perfectly still.
Tiana looked from one face to another.
"What's the original contract?""
Mia shook her head.
"I don't know what he's talking about.""
Daniel stepped toward her.
"Seven months of messages. Forged documents. Missing money. Now my uncle says you signed a contract before the investment even began.""
"I signed a confidentiality agreement.""
"With whom?""
"Meridian.""
"Why?""
"Because Robert said it was standard procedure.""
"What did it say?""
"I don't remember.""
Daniel stared at her.
"You don't remember signing a contract that might explain why my uncle helped you steal from my father?""
"I was trying to protect our future!""
"Stop saying that!""
His shout made Mia flinch.
Daniel lowered his voice, visibly struggling to control himself.
"Every time I ask you a question, you give me a reason I should feel sorry for you. Every time I ask for proof, you tell me I'm hurting you. I'm finished confusing your tears with the truth.""
Mia's face crumpled.
For a moment, she looked genuinely devastated.
Then her phone vibrated again.
She glanced at the screen.
Her expression changed so sharply that Arthur reached for his own phone.
"What is it?"" he asked.
Mia didn't answer.
Daniel took one step toward her.
"Show me.""
She turned the screen away.
He reached for the phone, but she pulled it against her chest.
"Don't!""
Arthur raised his voice.
"Mia. Enough.""
She slowly lowered the device.
The message was from Robert.
*HE KNOWS ABOUT THE CONTRACT. GET THE ORIGINAL FROM THE SAFE BEFORE HE FINDS IT.*
Tiana stared at the screen.
"There's another contract?""
Mia's eyes filled with tears.
Arthur looked toward the study.
Then he turned to Daniel.
"Check the safe.""
Daniel hurried away.
Mia tried to follow, but Tiana blocked her path.
"You're not going anywhere.""
"Move.""
"No.""
Mia looked at her with open hatred.
"You have no idea what your grandfather has done.""
Tiana's face tightened.
"Then tell me.""
Mia said nothing.
From the study came the sound of a drawer opening, followed by Daniel's voice.
"Dad!""
Arthur hurried toward the doorway, with Tiana close behind him.
Daniel stood beside the open safe.
Inside were several folders, a jewelry box, and a sealed envelope bearing Arthur's attorney's name.
The envelope had been slit open.
The folder containing the original investment documents was gone.
Daniel looked at his father.
"Someone has already been in here.""
Arthur examined the lock.
There were no scratches. No broken hinges. The safe had been opened with the correct combination.
Only a handful of people knew it.
Arthur looked back toward the hallway.
Mia was standing at the study entrance.
Her face was drained of color.
"Who else knows the combination?"" Daniel asked.
Arthur answered slowly.
"Me. My attorney. And Robert.""
Mia closed her eyes.
Then she whispered, "There's something else you need to know.""
Daniel turned toward her.
"What?""
She opened her eyes.
"Robert didn't just help me get the money.""
Her voice trembled.
"He told me that if I followed his instructions, he would make sure Daniel inherited the company.""
Arthur's expression hardened.
"And what did he promise himself?""
Mia swallowed.
"He said he would receive a percentage of the sale.""
Daniel stared at her.
"Sale?""
Mia nodded miserably.
"After the transfer was completed, Robert planned to sell the controlling interest to an outside investor.""
Arthur's face went still.
"Which investor?""
Mia looked down.
"I never met them.""
"Name.""
She lifted her eyes.
"Northbridge Capital.""
Arthur gripped the edge of the desk.
For the first time that afternoon, he looked truly afraid.
Daniel noticed immediately.
"Dad? What is Northbridge Capital?""
Arthur slowly turned toward him.
"An investment group that has been trying to acquire my company for almost a year.""
Tiana whispered, "Why would they need Robert?""
"Because they couldn't buy what I refused to sell," Arthur said.
He looked at the open safe.
"And now someone has stolen the documents that could prove how they intended to take it.""
Daniel's phone vibrated.
A new email had arrived from an unknown sender.
The subject line read:
*THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT — READ BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.*
Daniel opened the attachment.
The first page displayed Mia's signature.
The second displayed Robert's.
The third contained a clause that made Daniel's hands begin to shake.
If Arthur Mitchell died before the company transfer was completed, control of his estate would pass temporarily to a trustee.
The trustee's name was printed in bold.
*DANIEL MITCHELL.*
But beneath that clause was another paragraph.
One that gave the trustee the power to transfer the company's controlling interest to Northbridge Capital in exchange for a predetermined payment.
Daniel stared at the screen.
He had never agreed to such an arrangement.
He had never seen the contract.
Yet his signature appeared on the final page.
Arthur looked over his shoulder.
Then he whispered the words that changed everything.
"Daniel, that isn't your signature.""
Daniel looked at the page again.
The signature was convincing.
Almost perfect.
But the date beside it was three months earlier than the day he had first met Robert's investment contact.
May you like
Someone had forged his signature before the investment ever began.
And whoever had done it had been preparing to take the company long before Mia tore her dress in the hallway.
