“Four years ago, Robert transferred majority ownership of Hayes Construction into a family trust,” he explained. “You’re the primary beneficiary.”
“I signed something…” I whispered. “He said it was for tax purposes.”
“It was,” David said. “But it was also protection.”
Then he showed me the document Michael wanted me to sign.
It looked temporary.
It wasn’t.
“It would give him full control of the company,” David said. “And make it nearly impossible to reverse.”
“Why would he do that?”
David hesitated.
“Because Michael and Brian have been negotiating to sell the company to an investment group.”
He pulled out a black USB drive.
“Robert started gathering evidence when things didn’t add up.”
We watched the footage.
Michael searching through Robert’s desk.
Lily going through files late at night.
Audio recordings of arguments.
“Just sign it, Dad,” Michael’s voice said sharply.
Robert’s reply made my chest tighten:
“I won’t sell the lives of my workers just to make your bank account bigger.”
Then came the worst part.
A pharmacy receipt.
Robert’s heart medication dosage had been doubled days before he collapsed.
“Who picked it up?” I asked, already knowing.
David slid the paper toward me.
Brian.