The Debt Nobody Knew About
Chapter 05 - The Debt Nobody Knew About
Richard finally sat down.
For thirty years, he had been the strongest man in the Bennett family. He fixed broken pipes, negotiated car prices, argued with insurance companies, and never admitted when he was afraid.
Now he looked old.
Not elderly.
Defeated.
“The debt started five years ago,” he said.
He had invested money in a small property development with an old friend, Victor Hale.
At first, everything seemed legal.
Then costs grew.
Loans multiplied.
Richard borrowed against his retirement account.
Then he borrowed privately.
Ellen discovered the truth when collection letters began arriving.
“How much?” Noah asked.
Richard rubbed his face.
“More than four hundred thousand.”
Claire stared at him.
“You lost four hundred thousand dollars?”
“I thought I could fix it.”
“With Mom’s money?”
Richard looked at the floor.
Claire’s stomach turned.
He had planned to use Ellen’s insurance settlement, Claire’s $280,000, and the proceeds from selling the house to clear the debt.
Then disappear before anyone could stop him.
But Noah noticed something strange.
“If you owed Victor the money, why were you going to Florida?”
Richard’s eyes lifted.
Noah’s voice became quieter.
“Dad. Who were you meeting there?”
May you like
Richard did not answer.
And Claire suddenly understood there was another secret.
