He Nearly Hit the Wrong Billionaire's Son

CHAPTER 3 - The Woman He Silenced

Rebecca spent the next morning at Jonah's dining table with three independent auditors.

For the first time in years, no one interrupted her or told her that she misunderstood the numbers.

She explained how Grant's control had begun gradually.

He discouraged her from attending board meetings. He replaced her longtime accountant. Whenever she questioned a transaction, he accused her of embarrassing him.

Eventually, Rebecca stopped speaking.

"I thought keeping the marriage peaceful was more important than being right," she told Jonah.

Their mother had taught both children that marriage required patience. Rebecca had confused patience with disappearing.

Jonah did not blame her.

He blamed himself for failing to notice how quiet she had become.

The auditors confirmed that Grant had transferred company money into Mercer Heights. He had also forged Rebecca's approval on loans secured by Ethan's shares.

But Grant had prepared a defense.

That afternoon, every board member received an emergency petition claiming Jonah was unfit to manage the company or his son's trust.

Grant used photographs of Jonah grieving at Laura's funeral and statements from a doctor Jonah had seen only twice.

"He wants to turn your worst year into evidence against you," Rebecca said.

Jonah looked at Laura's photograph.

For three years, he had avoided the company because every office reminded him of the future they had planned together.

Grant interpreted grief as weakness.

Ethan entered the room with a bandage on his knee.

"Is Aunt Rebecca staying with us?"

Rebecca smiled uncertainly.

"For a little while."

"You can have Mom's old reading room. Dad never lets anyone feel lonely there."

Rebecca turned away to hide her tears.

That evening, she received a message from Grant.

Return home and support me at the board meeting, or I will tell everyone you stole the money.

For years, the threat would have frightened her into obedience.

This time, Rebecca photographed it and sent it to the investigators.

Then she opened a locked file Grant believed she had never found.

Inside was a recording of him instructing an employee to manufacture code violations against Helen and the other homeowners.

The final sentence was unmistakable.

"Once the old people are frightened enough, they'll sell for anything."

Rebecca closed the file.

The wife Grant had spent years silencing was about to become the witness who ended his career.