Chapter 16 - JONATHAN'S ORIGINAL SIN
They returned to the estate at sunrise.
Anna sat in Jonathan’s study for the first time in twelve years.
Claire sat across from her.
Ethan stood near the fireplace.
Eleanor remained by the door.
“No more secrets.”
Claire said.
Anna nodded.
“Project Cedar began twenty-eight years ago.”
“Jonathan funded it.”
Claire felt sick.
“Human trials?”
“Not at first.”
Anna explained that Jonathan had started Cedar after his younger brother died from a rare neurological disease.
He wanted faster drug development.
He funded experimental treatments.
He ignored regulations.
Patients were offered money.
Some were not fully informed.
Then Richard Vale saw an opportunity.
“He turned Cedar into something monstrous.”
Anna said.
“Jonathan tried to shut it down.”
“But by then, people had been hurt.”
Ethan looked at her.
“My mother discovered the payments.”
“Yes.”
“Richard killed her.”
Anna nodded.
“And Jonathan still kept the company alive?”
“He believed he could fix it from the inside.”
Claire laughed without humor.
“That sounds convenient.”
“It was cowardice.”
Anna did not defend Jonathan.
“He knew that.”
“He spent his final years collecting evidence.”
“Then why didn’t he go to the police?”
“Because Richard had judges, hospital administrators, politicians, and members of the board.”
Eleanor added quietly.
“And because Jonathan was afraid Claire would become evidence of his hypocrisy.”
Claire looked at her.
“What does that mean?”
Anna lowered her eyes.
“Jonathan was married when we met.”
Claire absorbed the words.
“My father cheated on his wife with you.”
“Yes.”
“Catherine?”
“No.”
Anna shook her head.
“Ethan’s mother and Jonathan were never married.”
“He married another woman years later.”
Eleanor looked uncomfortable.
Claire realized something.
“You.”
Eleanor nodded.
“Jonathan married me when Claire was five.”
Claire laughed bitterly.
“So everyone lied.”
Anna reached toward her.
Claire moved her hand away.
“I need the truth, not another version designed to make me feel better.”
Anna nodded.
“Then you deserve one more truth.”
Claire waited.
“The trust Jonathan created for you wasn’t only inheritance.”
“What was it?”
“A safeguard.”
“Against what?”
May you like
Anna looked directly at her daughter.
“Against the Whitmore board discovering that you were the legal owner of the company all along.”
