Everyone Laughed at the Single Father at the Reunion—Then a Billionaire Crossed the Room for Him
Chapter 8
Thomas found the box beneath a desk.
The room was filling with smoke.
He grabbed it.
Then a beam collapsed behind him.
The doorway disappeared.
Thomas coughed.
“Papa!”
Clara’s voice came from outside.
He pushed toward a side window.
The frame was too small.
He kicked it.
Wood splintered.
He squeezed through.
Nathaniel grabbed his arm and pulled him clear.
Thomas collapsed in the grass.
Clara ran to him.
“Papa!”
“I’m fine.”
She hugged him.
Nathaniel stared at the burning barn.
“Whoever did this knew exactly what they wanted.”
Thomas opened the box.
The documents were still there.
But one envelope was missing.
Nathaniel’s face hardened.
“The confession.”
Thomas looked at him.
“Could they use it against you?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“It proves my father was involved.”
Thomas frowned.
“And you?”
“It could be used to claim I inherited stolen wealth.”
Thomas understood.
If Vale could convince the authorities that Nathaniel’s fortune came from fraud, everything could be seized.
“And Margaret?”
Nathaniel looked at the flames.
“She knew.”
Thomas stared.
“She was trying to protect you.”
“Yes.”
The next morning, Nathaniel received a summons.
The county council had ordered an inquiry into his business.
Vale had accused him of fraud.
The irony was almost unbearable.
Thomas accompanied him.
The council chamber was crowded.
Vale sat among the officials.
He smiled when Nathaniel entered.
The chief magistrate read the accusation.
“Mr. Blackwood, evidence suggests that your father’s estate was built upon fraudulent transactions.”
Nathaniel stood calmly.
“That evidence was manufactured.”
Vale interrupted.
“Then prove it.”
Thomas stepped forward.
“I can.”
Every head turned.
Vale laughed.
“And who are you?”
Thomas looked at him.
“The man whose wife discovered your fraud.”
Silence.
Thomas placed Margaret’s papers on the table.
The magistrate examined them.
One document.
Then another.
Vale’s smile disappeared.
But before the magistrate could speak, a messenger entered.
He whispered something.
The magistrate’s face changed.
“What?”
“The Blackwood Mill has been seized.”
Nathaniel froze.
“By whom?”
The messenger swallowed.
“By order of Judge Mercer.”
Nathaniel looked at Thomas.
Thomas looked at Vale.
Vale smiled.
“Perhaps you should have stayed at your farm.”
