“Who is Evan Hale?”
“My cousin.”
“And?”
“He is Thomas Hale’s son.”
My mind stopped.
Thomas Hale had another child.
Daniel’s possible half-brother.
If Thomas was truly Daniel’s father, then Evan and Daniel were brothers.
Vanessa continued quickly.
“Evan and I dated briefly before I understood the full family connection.”
I rubbed my forehead.
“This family tree needs its own accountant.”
Despite everything, Vanessa gave a broken laugh.
Then her voice became serious.
“Claire, the envelope proves your father knew Thomas.”
“What?”
“All three men were partners at the beginning.”
Michael Bennett.
Thomas Hale.
Charles Whitmore.
My father.
Daniel’s possible biological father.
And the man who had controlled both families for decades.
“What happened?”
“Charles pushed Thomas out. Your father objected. Then your father sold his company and transferred money into the development fund to protect Thomas’s interest.”
“Protect it from Charles?”
“Yes.”
“Then Charles took it anyway.”
