Chapter 17 - The Hidden Beneficiary
While investigators searched the underground archive, Rebecca began reviewing Richard's encrypted succession records.
One file refused to open.
It required Margaret's biometric authorization.
She pressed her thumb against the scanner.
The screen unlocked immediately.
A confidential video recording appeared.
Richard smiled warmly into the camera.
"If you're seeing this, my dear..."
"...then I was right."
Margaret struggled to hold back tears.
Richard continued.
"There is one beneficiary whose identity I deliberately concealed from everyone."
Daniel immediately leaned forward.
"So there really was another heir?"
Richard smiled faintly.
"No."
"I said beneficiary."
"The two words are not the same."
Rebecca paused the recording.
"What does he mean?"
Edward answered first.
"An heir inherits ownership."
"A beneficiary receives protection."
Richard's video resumed.
"The person I protected never asked for wealth."
"They asked only for a chance to live safely."
"If they are still alive..."
"...they remain under the protection of the Collins Trust."
A name slowly appeared on the screen.
CLASSIFIED.
Even Margaret could not read it.
Instead, another instruction appeared.
REQUIRES LEVEL SEVEN AUTHORIZATION.
Michael frowned.
"Only Thomas Keene possessed Level Seven."
Rebecca looked toward the empty archive compartment again.
"Which means Thomas carried the only key."
Daniel suddenly spoke.
"What if Thomas wasn't protecting Richard's secrets?"
Everyone looked at him.
"What if he was protecting that person?"
The room became silent.
For the first time that day...
Daniel had asked the right question.
Unfortunately...
No one knew the answer.
Across town, the mysterious woman who had received the Blue Ledger unlocked the first page.
She read only one sentence before her eyes widened.
"So..."
May you like
She whispered.
"Richard knew everything."
