Chapter 4 - Why He Pretended to Have Nothing
My surprise quickly became anger.
“You could have stopped what happened at that courthouse.”
“Yes.”
“You could have told them who you were.”
“Yes.”
“But you stood there and watched them humiliate me.”
Silas lowered his eyes.
For months, his company had been investigating suspicious transactions connected to one of its contractors.
Those transactions eventually led to businesses associated with Marlene—and to Preston Hale.
Silas had temporarily moved into the area and disguised his identity because he wanted to see who was involved before anyone realized they were being investigated.
Mrs. Calloway had known my mother years earlier.
Through her, Silas learned about me.
When he discovered Marlene intended to marry me off to the man she believed was an ordinary lumber worker, he agreed because he thought it would keep me away from whatever was happening at the company.
I shook my head.
“You didn’t protect me. You tested me.”
Silas didn’t argue.
That told me enough.
I packed my suitcase and moved into Mrs. Calloway’s spare room.
The next morning, Silas arrived carrying two folders.
The first contained information about Preston.
His expensive cars were leased.
Several properties he claimed to own belonged to other people.
His investment history was exaggerated, and he was carrying enormous debts.
Then Silas placed his hand on the second folder.
“This one is about your mother.”
My anger disappeared.
“Give it to me.”
He hesitated.
“Tessa, what we found could change who legally controls Langford Textiles.”
Before I could respond, Mrs. Calloway entered carrying an old metal box.
She placed it in front of me.
May you like
“Your mother gave me something fourteen years ago.”
Inside was a letter.
