Chapter 7 - The Wrong Daughter
Claire felt nothing at first.
Then laughter escaped.
Not amusement.
Disbelief.
Richard Whitmore?
Her biological father?
Her father Robert Bennett had raised her until death when Claire was twenty-seven.
She loved him.
DNA could clarify biology, but not erase Robert.
Vanessa looked sick.
If Richard fathered Claire, Claire and Vanessa were half-sisters.
Was that why Vanessa hated her?
Maybe.
But Claire asked obvious:
“Did Richard test?”
“No.”
Then it was belief, not fact.
Why believe?
Diane and Richard had affair thirty-six years ago.
Before Richard married Eleanor.
Claire was born months later.
Diane told Richard child was Robert’s.
Years later Richard doubted.
He secretly added Claire to fund.
No test.
So Vanessa grew up knowing father financially supported possible daughter.
Resentment.
There was emotional motive.
But too simple.
Then Claire asked why Rebecca cared.
Rebecca discovered hidden beneficiary and confronted Diane.
Diane insisted Robert was father.
Richard refused removing Claire without proof.
Then Rebecca demanded proper trust structure.
Hence fund.
Then Thomas knew?
Yes.
Thomas knew Diane before.
Old fiancé.
Another possible biological father.
Suddenly Claire had three candidates:
Robert Bennett.
Richard Whitmore.
Thomas Cole.
That would make her Ethan/Lucas’s half-sister if Thomas.
And Vanessa’s half-sister if Richard.
No wonder everyone feared wedding involving families.
But medallion name?
Still hidden.
Claire refused immediate DNA spectacle.
She wanted records first.
Diane’s safe-deposit box contained letters.
One from Thomas.
Thirty-five years old:
Diane, whatever you decide about baby, I will respect it.
Claire sat down.
Thomas had known pregnancy.
Then:
Robert is a good man. If you choose him, I won't interfere.
This suggested Thomas possible father.
But next letter:
Richard has no right to frighten you into testing.
Now Richard possible.
Diane had been involved with Thomas, then brief encounter with Richard around same period, then reconciled with Robert.
Messy.
Not sinister.
Claire’s biological paternity uncertain because Diane refused test.
Then why Child Continuity Fund started only fifteen years ago when Claire was twenty?
Richard’s guilt.
Not child support.
Education restitution.
Then Ethan noticed dates.
First fund payment to Claire occurred one day after Rebecca died.
Was that guilt over death?
Richard moved $86,400 to Claire’s university account.
Maybe because Rebecca threatened expose possible daughter and he silenced Diane?
No evidence.
Then Laura revealed Rebecca had called her hours before death.
“She said she found the wrong daughter.”
What did that mean?
Maybe Claire wasn't Richard’s.
Another beneficiary was.
Which?
Seven names sealed.
They reviewed with legal authorization from living beneficiaries.
One refused disclosure.
Others unrelated.
Then seventh beneficiary:
Vanessa Whitmore.
Why would billionaire’s own daughter receive money from secret restitution fund?
$1.
Symbolic.
Designation:
Beneficiary V-0.
Created same day as Claire entry.
Claire stared at Vanessa.
“Your father put both of us in.”
Vanessa whispered:
“He said one of us wasn't his.”
Which one?
Richard apparently didn't know.
Then Eleanor broke.
“That's why I hated the fund.”
Claire looked at her.
Eleanor knew Richard doubted Vanessa’s paternity too.
“Who was Vanessa’s possible father?”
May you like
Eleanor looked toward Ethan and Lucas.
“Thomas Cole.”
