Chapter 1 - LOOK UNDER THE TABLE
Marcus Ellison had hosted ministers, investors, heirs, and enemies in his penthouse dining room.
None of them had ever stopped an engagement dinner the way a three-year-old did.
Lily Alvarez walked straight between the chairs in a pink dress, clutching a worn stuffed rabbit.
Her mother, Rosa, rushed after her with a silver water pitcher.
“Lily—come back!”
Lily ignored her.
She reached Marcus.
Tugged his sleeve.
Then whispered:
“Look under the table, sir.”
Diana Caldwell’s smile tightened.
Marcus noticed.
He dropped to one knee beside Diana’s chair.
Diana stood abruptly.
“Marcus, don’t.”
He lifted the white tablecloth.
Something thick was taped beneath the seat.
An envelope.
Marcus ripped it free.
Diana lunged.
He pulled it away and tore it open.
A heavy family signet ring fell into his palm.
Then folded trust transfer papers.
Then a black flash drive.
Rosa stopped moving.
Marcus stared at the ring.
It belonged to his late father.
It had been locked in the family archive for six years.
Diana stepped closer.
“It’s nothing.”
Marcus opened the papers.
Ellison Family Trust seal.
Transfer schedules.
Signature blocks.
A proposed movement of assets into Ellison Strategic Reserve LLC.
Amount:
$38,000,000.
Marcus slowly looked up.
“Then why was it hidden under your chair?”
Diana froze.
Lily pointed at her.
Marcus rose.
Ring in one hand.
Documents in the other.
“What did you steal from my family?”
Diana’s face went white.
Then Rosa whispered:
“She made me promise not to tell you.”
May you like
Marcus turned.
The mystery got worse.
