Chapter 9: Shadows and Inheritance

Barely five years after the demise of billionaire Rhodes Carter, the former CEO of Carter Media Corporation, and the subsequent crisis that rocked the company, a fresh scandal was about to erupt.

Alexandra Lex Rhodes, secret daughter to the late Rhodes Carter, emerged from Europe with nothing but a black Valentino coat, a worn leather satchel, and a truth she had harbored for twenty-seven years.

Her eyes, sharp and grey like the North Sea, were framed by a cool determination that didn't waver, even as the New York skyline glinted like an empire built on secrets.

Cameras flashed outside the Carter Media Corporation headquarters. Lex ignored them.

"I'm not here to mourn a man the world barely understood," she said into the mic, her voice low and deliberate. "I'm here to tell you he had a daughter - me - and that the new CEO, Ben Carter, orchestrated his death to take what wasn't his."

Gasps cut through the gathering like a blade. Inside the building, high above the chaos, Ben Carter stood motionless behind the thick glass of his office, watching the press conference unfold.

"Jesus," Linda murmured, standing beside him. "Is it true?"

Ben didn't flinch. "I knew Rhodes had a daughter. He told me in confidence. But murder?" He turned to her, his voice measured. "I would never do that."

Linda Morgan, Editorial Director of CMC, had spent five years beside Ben - both in boardrooms and bedrooms. She knew how his eyes changed when he lied. But right now, they weren't shifting. They were dark, clear, and unreadable.

"She looks like him," Linda whispered.

"Exactly. That's how I knew," Ben said. "Rhodes showed me a photo once. A girl in Austria. He kept tabs on her but never made contact. He said it was safer that way."

Linda folded her arms. "And you never thought to tell me this before?"

Ben's jaw clenched. "I thought the secret died with him."

That night, Lex stood in the penthouse that once belonged to Rhodes Carter - her father. The lawyers had already started a firestorm: DNA proof was irrefutable, and the will had been rewritten three months before Rhodes' death, naming her a 30% beneficiary of the CMC estate. But the board hadn't recognized her yet. That would require more than blood.

Lex sipped Scotch from her father's crystal tumbler and stared at his favorite painting - an original Rothko. Red. Bleeding red.

There was a knock.

She opened the door to find Linda.

"I thought you might want to talk," Linda said.

Lex studied her. "You're sleeping with him."

Linda didn't deny it. "I was."

Lex let her in.

"I don't think Ben killed Rhodes," Linda said finally. "But you believe he did. Why?"

Lex leaned against the marble bar. "My father reached out to me two months before he died. We met once. In Zurich. He said he was making changes. That he was cutting ties with 'wolves in heir's clothing.' He said I'd understand everything soon."

"And then he died."

Lex nodded. "No autopsy. No funeral. Just a closed casket and Ben wearing that tailored grief like it was Armani."

Linda's lips tightened. "Thank you Lex for letting me hear your own side of the story. If you would lend me your ears I will give you the full jist of what transpired during your father's death."

"I'm all ears. Let's have your jist," Lex replied.

"Five years ago the news of your father's death was broken to me by a friend. I had the greatest shock of my life. News about what led to his death was sketchy. I thought there was something amiss. As an investigative journalist, I sought for internship with Carter Media to enable me investigate from within. Luckily for me it was granted.

When I informed Ben of my interest to investigate the death of Mr. Carter, he had the power as the new CEO to stop me but he didn't. Rather, he encouraged me and gave me full support. I started the investigation and at some point my life was being threatened by faceless orchestrators

Ben tried to protect me but when the orchestrators feared that we were getting close to the truth, his life too came under threat. Ben had the choice to abandon the investigation and save his life but he didn't. He insisted on getting justice for his uncle, Rhodes Carter.

When worse came to worst, he reported the matter to Federal Economic and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FEFCEN). FEFCEN quickly intervened and arrested the two suspects, Dan Stratton and Arthur Turner. I was told Arthur Turner was also a nephew to your father. They were later brought to justice.

Apart from those two found guilty, FEFCEN placed the entire board of CMC including Ben under thorough investigation, they all came out with a clean slate. So, my conclusion is that you should think twice before pointing an accusing finger at the wrong person," Linda concluded.

"Well, the facts with me are quite different from what you just told me. I'm here to claim the entire Rhodes' estimate as my rightful inheritance with the backing of the court," Lex said.

...

Two days later, the board called an emergency session. Lex entered like a storm in heels. The room fell quiet.

Ben stood at the head of the table. "Miss Rhodes. Welcome to CMC."

Lex tilted her head. "It's Ms. Rhodes. And don't pretend you're happy to see me, Benjamin."

"I'm many things, but never a pretender," Ben replied coolly. "I admired your father. You want to come after me? Do it with evidence, not emotion."

"I'll bring both," Lex said.

Linda watched from the side. Ben's charm was a weapon - wielded only when needed. But Lex didn't flinch under it. If anything, she seemed to enjoy the duel.

Later that night, Linda couldn't sleep. She drove to Ben's apartment, needing answers. Truth. Closure.