He Came Home Early and Heard His Mother Threatening His Wife—Then a Hidden Secret Was Revealed
Chapter 11
The estate belonged to Eleanor Black.
It stood on a hill overlooking the valley.
Federal agents surrounded the property before Michael entered.
Daniel insisted on accompanying him.
Emily stayed in the vehicle.
Michael walked through the front doors.
The house was enormous.
Old paintings covered the walls.
At the end of the hallway stood Eleanor.
She was older than Michael expected.
Elegant.
Calm.
Almost grandmotherly.
“You look like Richard.”
Michael stopped.
“You knew my father.”
“I created him.”
Michael frowned.
“What does that mean?”
Eleanor smiled.
“Your father was ambitious.”
“He was a criminal.”
“He became one.”
Michael stared.
“You started Northstar.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because governments waste resources.”
Michael shook his head.
“You destroyed families.”
“I built an empire.”
“You killed people.”
Eleanor’s expression remained calm.
“People die when they stand in the way of progress.”
Michael felt disgusted.
“Why me?”
“Because you were different.”
She explained that Richard had initially intended for Michael to inherit Northstar.
But as Michael grew older, Richard began regretting his decisions.
He wanted to dismantle the network.
Eleanor couldn’t allow that.
“So you killed him.”
“Victor did.”
Michael’s jaw tightened.
“You ordered it.”
“I gave the order.”
Daniel stepped forward.
“You also ordered my death.”
Eleanor looked at him.
“You survived.”
“Because Margaret saved me.”
Eleanor smiled.
“Margaret was always more courageous than Richard.”
Michael looked at her.
“Why did you threaten Emily?”
“I didn’t.”
Michael frowned.
“Then who did?”
Eleanor’s smile disappeared.
“Someone else.”
Daniel’s expression changed.
“What?”
Eleanor looked toward Michael.
“Your mother.”
Michael froze.
“My mother?”
“Margaret wasn’t simply protecting you.”
Michael felt confused.
“What are you saying?”
Eleanor walked toward a desk.
She opened a drawer.
Inside was a photograph.
Margaret stood beside Eleanor.
They were young.
And beside them was Michael’s father.
The three of them looked like friends.
Michael stared.
“My mother worked with you?”
Eleanor nodded.
“For years.”
Michael felt the room spin.
“No.”
Eleanor handed him another document.
It showed financial transfers from Margaret’s account.
Money from Northstar.
Michael couldn’t believe it.
“She was part of it.”
Daniel shook his head.
“That doesn’t prove anything.”
Eleanor smiled.
“Then ask her.”
Michael’s phone rang.
It was Emily.
He answered.
Her voice was shaking.
“Michael, come back.”
“What happened?”
“I found something.”
“What?”
“It’s about your mother.”
Michael looked at Eleanor.
Emily whispered:
“She wasn’t protecting you.”
Silence.
“She was protecting herself.”
