Chapter 7 - Cross Built The Family’s Lies
Daniel Cross was arrested two states away while attempting to flee under
another identity.
His laptop contained forged authorizations, financial records, and
communications proving he had continued Thomas Whitmore’s schemes after
Thomas died.
Cross had also managed the legal machinery behind Rebecca’s hidden
adoption and Julian’s false death.
The second ledger Caroline mentioned was eventually found disguised as
the backing of a framed photograph.
It documented unauthorized transfers and the money Caroline secretly
recovered.
Most of Sophie’s missing trust funds had been restored before Caroline
died.
Some recoveries had been made with Vanessa’s help.
Ethan struggled with that truth.
Vanessa had helped Caroline while also deceiving Ethan.
She had betrayed Julian years earlier under threat.
She had later tried to repair some of the damage.
And when Sophie discovered the key, Vanessa panicked and tied a
nine-year-old child’s wrists.
Ethan did not need to decide whether Vanessa was a good person or a bad
person.
He needed to decide whether she was safe for Sophie.
She was not.
Cross’s laptop contained one more discovery.
A recent encrypted payment had been made to J. WHITMORE in Montana.
Ethan stared at the record.
Julian might still be alive.
Rebecca confirmed federal investigators had suspected the same but had
not located him.
Ethan traveled to a ranch outside Livingston.
A bearded man opened the door.
Older.
Scarred.
Unmistakable.
“Julian.”
His brother stared at him.
Then Ethan punched him once in the shoulder and immediately pulled him
into a hug.
Seven years of grief collapsed between them.
Julian admitted he had remained hidden long after Thomas died because
Cross still controlled parts of the network.
Eventually fear became shame.
And shame made returning harder.
Ethan asked the only question that mattered now.
“Will you come meet Sophie?”
May you like
Julian cried.
“Yes.”
