Chapter 5 Truth about her father's death

THIRD POV ;

Evelyn returned to Vinni's house, her face pale and her hands trembling. As soon as she stepped inside, she blurted out the news-Hunter was marrying Sophia. Vinni's expression shifted from shock to anger as she pulled Evelyn into a tight hug.

"Let him marry that snake," Vinni said, her voice laced with venom. "He doesn't deserve you, Evelyn. Never did."

Evelyn nodded weakly, her eyes brimming with tears. They spent the evening strategizing, deciding to meet a lawyer the next day to discuss reclaiming their company from Hunter's grasp. But even with a plan in place, Evelyn couldn't sleep that night.

She lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her mind a whirlwind of painful memories. Her ruined past and present seemed to merge into one unbearable reality. Her mother had always favored Sophia, showering her with affection while Evelyn stood in the shadows. Her father had been her only solace, the one person who genuinely cared for her.

But even he had betrayed her in a way she couldn't forgive. It was her father who had orchestrated her marriage to Hunter, striking a deal she had never been privy to. She had believed in the sanctity of their union, even if it had started on shaky ground.

When her father passed away from a heart attack, Hunter had married her immediately. She thought it was an act of compassion, a gesture to protect her during her darkest days. For three years, she clung to the hope that their marriage could grow into something real.

But now, the truth crushed her-Hunter had never loved her. Everything she thought they had shared was a lie, a sham built on a deal she hadn't even known existed.

As dawn broke, Evelyn's heart was heavy, but a spark of determination flickered within her. If she couldn't reclaim the love she had lost, she would reclaim her life and her company.

Evelyn and Vinni stepped into the sleek downtown office, the air smelling faintly of polished wood and fresh coffee. The walls were lined with shelves of thick legal books, and the receptionist guided them into a conference room where a sharp-looking man in a tailored suit awaited.

"Ms. Bennett, Ms. Hart," he greeted them with a polite nod. "I'm Marcus Cole. Please, have a seat."

Evelyn sank into the chair, her nerves raw. Vinni, ever the fierce one, sat beside her, her posture straight and her eyes blazing with determination.

"Thank you for meeting us on such short notice," Evelyn began, her voice trembling.

Marcus nodded, opening a leather-bound folder. "I've reviewed the documents you sent over, including the company's transfer records and your late father's will. I understand you're hoping to regain control of Bennett Enterprises from Mr. Hunter Caldwell."

"Yes," Evelyn said, clasping her hands tightly in her lap. "It was my father's company. Hunter... he took it after we got married. I didn't understand all the paperwork at the time, but I signed over my shares to him."

Marcus leaned forward, his expression grave. "Unfortunately, that's the core issue. When you transferred your shares to Mr. Caldwell, the transaction was legally binding. You effectively relinquished your ownership and voting rights in the company."

Evelyn's face fell. "But... I didn't know what I was signing. He rushed me into it. I trusted him."

"Did you sign the documents under duress or without understanding their contents?" Marcus asked gently.

"I-" Evelyn hesitated. "I didn't read them carefully. He said it was just a formality to secure the company's future. I believed him."

Marcus sighed. "Unless we can prove coercion, fraud, or undue influence, the transfer is valid under corporate law. The fact that you willingly signed the papers, even without reading them, makes it very difficult to challenge in court."

"What about her father's will?" Vinni interjected, her tone sharp. "Didn't he leave the company to Evelyn?"

"Yes," Marcus said, flipping through the documents. "The will explicitly states that Evelyn was the sole beneficiary of Bennett Enterprises. However, once she inherited the company, she had the legal right to transfer ownership. The courts would see her actions as voluntary, even if they were based on deception."

Evelyn's chest tightened. "So, there's nothing I can do?"

Marcus hesitated, his eyes softening. "There may be a few avenues to explore, but I want to be realistic with you. Proving fraud or undue influence is extremely challenging, especially when years have passed. Hunter's position as the legal owner is solid."

Vinni slammed her hand on the table. "This is absurd! He manipulated her! There's no way we're letting him get away with this."

Marcus nodded, understanding their frustration. "I empathize, Ms. Hart. But the law is built on evidence. Without solid proof that Hunter acted unlawfully, the court will uphold the agreements you signed."

Evelyn felt tears pricking her eyes. "So, he gets to keep everything? The company... everything my father worked for?"

Marcus looked at her with a mixture of sympathy and professionalism. "I'm afraid so, unless we can uncover new evidence or negotiate with him directly."

Vinni leaned back in her chair, fuming. "What about the marriage? Can she at least sue him for emotional damages?"

Marcus gave a thin smile. "While you could pursue a divorce and potentially argue for a favorable settlement, that would depend on the terms of any prenuptial agreement and the court's assessment of your marital assets."

Evelyn buried her face in her hands. "This feels so unfair. He used me. He used my father's trust."

"I understand," Marcus said softly. "But the law often prioritizes documented actions over personal intentions. My advice? If you want to proceed, we'd need to dig deeper-look into Hunter's business practices, his financial records, anything that could point to misconduct."

Vinni leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "Then that's what we'll do. Hunter Caldwell isn't going to walk away unscathed."

Evelyn looked at Vinni, her despair flickering into something like determination. "If there's even a chance to fight back, I'll take it. I owe that to my father."

Marcus nodded. "Then let's start with gathering everything you have-emails, financial records, anything that might hint at foul play. I'll do my best to help you."

As they left the office, Evelyn's steps were heavy, but Vinni's hand on her shoulder kept her grounded.

"We'll get him," Vinni said firmly. "One way or another, we'll make him pay."

Evelyn's phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts as she and Vinni walked out of the lawyer's office. She glanced at the screen and saw an unfamiliar number, followed by a cryptic message:

*"I've always been concerned about you. I need to see you. Come to 415 Maplewood Street, the vintage building. Your grandfather."*

Her heart skipped a beat. She hadn't heard from her grandfather in years. Her mother had distanced them from the family after her father's death, and Evelyn had always felt a void where her grandfather's love should have been.

"Vinni, we need to go," Evelyn said, her voice trembling. She quickly typed back, confirming she was on her way.

They arrived at an old, elegant building on Maplewood Street. It had a vintage charm, with ivy climbing up the stone façade and the scent of aged wood drifting through the air. The door creaked open as they entered, revealing a dimly lit lobby. At the far end stood a familiar figure-her grandfather, sitting in a plush chair, his silver hair gleaming under the soft light.

"Grandpa..." Evelyn whispered, her voice full of disbelief and emotions she didn't know how to express.

Her grandfather rose slowly, his wrinkled hands extending toward her. "Evelyn," he said softly, his deep voice filled with warmth but also a hint of sorrow. "I'm so glad to finally see you again."

They embraced, and Evelyn felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. She had neglected her family for so long, blinded by her love for Hunter and the life she had built around him.

"I should've listened to you," Evelyn murmured, stepping back to look at him. "I... I was so blind to everything. I'm sorry."

Her grandfather nodded, his gaze kind yet filled with a quiet sadness. "I've always been concerned about you. Ever since your father decided to marry you off to Hunter so quickly, I knew something wasn't right." He paused, his expression turning serious. "I tried to warn your father, Evelyn. I told him not to rush it. But he insisted. He always said, 'There's no better man for her than Hunter.'"

Evelyn felt her stomach twist. "He... he always said that. And I believed him."

Her grandfather's voice softened. "I know. That's why I've waited for this moment-for you to wake up and see the truth for yourself. I couldn't make you see it when you were too focused on Hunter, but I hoped the day would come when you would open your eyes."

Evelyn's eyes filled with tears. "I neglected you... and the family. I was so focused on him, on trying to make it work. I'm so sorry, Grandpa."

He placed a hand on her shoulder, his grip steady. "It's not too late, Evelyn. There's still time for you to find out what really happened... to find out what your father went through."

She blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?"

He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Three years ago, I discovered something. Proof that your father was involved in something much bigger than anyone knew. The Starlink Company-the one he worked for-had its investments stolen, and the money was siphoned off into hidden accounts. Your father was blamed for it, and he lost everything."

Evelyn's breath caught in her throat. "No... he couldn't have."

Her grandfather nodded grimly. "It's true. Your father was fired, publicly disgraced, and sentenced to jail. But it wasn't just the company. After he was out of work, your mother and sister disappeared. They fled the country with the stolen money, leaving your father in the wreckage of it all."

Evelyn shook her head, her world tilting. "But everyone said he died of a heart attack."

Her grandfather's expression hardened. "That's the story they told. But Evelyn... I've been investigating the truth. Your father didn't die of a heart attack. He took his own life. The despair was too much for him to handle. He was a scapegoat-a pawn in a much bigger game."

Her mind spun as she tried to process the bombshell. "A scapegoat for who?"

Her grandfather leaned in, his eyes sharp. "For Chase Walker. The CEO of the Nexaura Company. It was all part of a bigger scheme to cover up Walker's involvement in the stolen investments. Your father was caught in the middle, and when he refused to take the fall quietly, they destroyed him. They made him the scapegoat."

Evelyn's heart raced, her chest tightening. "But why didn't anyone tell me? Why didn't you?"

"I couldn't. Your mother... she'd already taken the money, and I didn't want to put you in danger. But now, with Hunter's betrayal, I see that it's time for you to know the truth. Your father may have died because of the lies surrounding him, but you don't have to live in the same darkness."

Evelyn's mind was reeling, but her grandfather wasn't done. He handed her a folder, the weight of it sending a shiver down her spine.

"This," he said, "is for you. It's proof that you are entitled to 50% of the shares in the Starlink Company. The shares were transferred to you upon your father's death, but they remained hidden. It's all part of the agreement your father made with certain individuals before he died."

Evelyn stared at the document in disbelief. "How is this possible? How could I have 50% of the company?"

Her grandfather's voice softened. "Your father knew he was being framed. Before everything fell apart, he made sure the company's future was secured. He transferred half of the shares to you, making you the rightful co-owner in the eyes of the law. The problem is, those shares were buried deep, and no one has ever told you about them."

Evelyn's mind was in turmoil. She couldn't breathe, couldn't process the enormity of the revelations. But one thing was clear: she had a mission now. She had to uncover the truth about her father's death-and about the role Chase Walker played in everything.

"I will find out the truth," Evelyn said, her voice filled with determination. "I'll make sure everyone knows what really happened. I will avenge my father."

Her grandfather nodded, his eyes filled with pride. "I knew you'd come to this conclusion, Evelyn. Now, it's time to make things right."

As Evelyn looked down at the document in her hands, the weight of her father's legacy and the truth ahead of her felt like a heavy mantle. But she was ready. Ready to fight for justice-for her father, for herself, and for the family she had neglected.