Chapter 9: The Name She Was Never Meant to Know

“Michael Hayes has been moving money through my grandmother’s private account?”

Isabella’s voice was steady, but her fingers betrayed her as she held the report. The man who had helped her reclaim her inheritance was now connected to the same mystery surrounding her father’s disappearance.

Dominic watched her carefully.

“We don’t know whether he acted alone or whether someone used his credentials.”

“His name is on the authorization.”

“That’s evidence, not a complete explanation.”

Isabella pushed the report away. “You’re asking me to be patient with the same people who have kept me in the dark my entire life.”

“I’m asking you not to accuse someone before we know what happened.”

She looked at him sharply. “You seem very determined to defend Michael.”

“I’m determined to keep you from making a decision that could destroy your position before you’ve secured it.”

His words irritated her, but she knew he wasn’t entirely wrong.

Dominic picked up the report.

“I’ll arrange for an independent audit of the account. Until then, don’t confront Michael.”

“And if he’s guilty?”

“Then we’ll deal with him.”

Isabella studied him. There was something reassuring about his confidence, but she refused to mistake his willingness to help for proof that he could be trusted.

“Why are you doing all this, Dominic?”

He held her gaze.

“Because I don’t like seeing people take advantage of someone who has already been betrayed.”

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Dominic’s phone rang.

He glanced at the screen and answered.

“What happened?”

A pause followed.

His expression changed.

“Don’t let him leave. I’m on my way.”

He ended the call.

“What is it?” Isabella asked.

“Your father’s last known bank account has just been accessed.”

Isabella stood immediately.

“Can we find him?”

“Not yet. But whoever accessed that account used a Laurent family identification code.”

She stared at him.

“Someone is trying to contact him.”

“Or someone is trying to erase the trail.”

At the Laurent estate, Michael Hayes was preparing to leave when Isabella’s call came through.

He stared at her name on the screen before answering.

“Isabella.”

“I need to see you.”

“Is something wrong?”

“I received a report showing that you authorized transactions from my grandmother’s private account.”

Silence.

“Michael, are you there?”

“Yes. I can explain.”

“Then explain it to me in person.”

He looked toward the locked drawer beneath his desk.

“Not over the phone. Come to my office tomorrow morning.”

“Why not today?”

“Because there are things you need to understand first.”

Isabella’s patience was running out.

“Michael, if you have been hiding something from me, I suggest you tell me now.”

“I have never betrayed you.”

“Then you shouldn’t have anything to fear.”

Before he could respond, another call came through. Michael glanced at the screen and his face lost its color.

“Isabella, I have to go.”

“Who is calling you?”

He ended the call.

Isabella stared at her phone, unsettled by his reaction.

Later that evening, Dominic drove Isabella to the Laurent estate.

She had not wanted to return there so soon, but the discovery of the unauthorized transactions made it necessary to examine the family records herself.

The house stood behind tall iron gates, its windows dark except for the warm light coming from the library.

“This place belonged to your grandmother?” Dominic asked as they entered.

“Yes. I spent most of my childhood here.”

Isabella walked toward the library, running her fingers over the wooden shelves. Eleanor had kept business records in a locked cabinet behind her desk.

Dominic noticed her searching.

“What are you looking for?”

“Her old financial records. If someone used her private code, there may be a record of when it was last accessed.”

They searched through the files for several minutes before Isabella found a small leather notebook.

Inside were dates, account numbers, and brief notes written in Eleanor’s handwriting.

One entry was underlined twice.

November 14 — Victor confirmed the child is safe. Michael must never disclose the truth until she is ready.

Isabella read it again.

“The child?”

Dominic came closer.

“Isabella, look at the date.”

She did.

It was the day after her sixth birthday.

Her throat tightened.

“Why would my grandmother write about me like that?”

Dominic didn’t answer.

Isabella turned another page and found a name she had never seen before.

Catherine Laurent.

Below it was a short note:

The original birth record must remain hidden. If the truth is exposed, the entire inheritance agreement becomes vulnerable.

Isabella looked at Dominic.

“Who is Catherine Laurent?”

He studied the page, his expression unreadable.

“I don’t know.”

But Isabella noticed something strange.

He had gone completely still.

“Dominic?”

He closed the notebook gently.

“We need to leave.”

“Why?”

“Because someone has entered the property.”

A sound came from the hallway.

Then another.

Isabella turned toward the library door, but Dominic caught her hand and moved her behind him.

A shadow crossed the doorway.

A man’s voice followed.

“Miss Laurent, I’m sorry to disturb you.”

Isabella recognized it immediately.

Michael Hayes.

He stepped into the room, his face pale and his eyes fixed on the notebook.

“Please,” he said quietly. “Put that book down.”

Isabella tightened her grip.

“Who is Catherine Laurent?”

Michael looked at her, then at Dominic.

Finally, he whispered the words Isabella had never expected to hear.

“She’s your mother, Isabella. And she’s not dead.”