Chapter 152 Edward Porter
Mia’s POV
“We should get ready,” Mom said, already moving toward her room. “Whatever Robert’s found, it sounds important.”
The journey to Robert’s office in Midtown was slowed by unusually heavy traffic. By the time we arrived, my back was aching from sitting in the taxi, and my anxiety had reached a fever pitch.
Robert’s assistant showed us immediately into his corner office, where he waited with a stack of documents spread across his desk. He looked up as we entered, his expression both triumphant and troubled.
“Thank you for coming,” he said, rising to greet us. “Please, sit down. This might take some time to explain.”
Once we were settled, Robert pulled out a folder and placed it in front of us. “We’ve been tracking the money that’s been funding Taylor’s defense–the bail payment, Whitfield’s retainer, everything. It’s been carefully concealed, routed through multiple shell companies and offshore accounts.”
“But you found the source?” Mom prompted.
“Yes,” Robert confirmed. “And it’s not what we expected.” He opened the folder, revealing a series of bank statements and transaction records. “The funds are coming from a trust established nearly twenty years ago–the Porter Family Trust.” “Porter?” I repeated, the name immediately triggering recognition. “As in Helen Porter–Williams? My father’s wife?”
“Her family, yes,” Robert nodded. “But not controlled by Helen. According to our investigation, the trust is managed by Helen’s brother, Edward Porter.”
“I didn’t even know Helen had a brother,” I admitted, struggling to process this new information. “I never met any of her family.”
“That’s not surprising,” Robert said. “Edward Porter has been living in France for the past fifteen years. He runs a private investment firm there and rarely returns to the States.”
“But why would he be helping Taylor?” Mom asked, the confusion in her voice mirroring my own thoughts. “If he’s been out of the country for so long, what’s his connection to all this?”
Robert leaned back in his chair, his expression grim. “That’s where it gets interesting. Edward Porter was a silent partner in several of Richard’s business ventures–ventures that collapsed when Richard’s financial misconduct came to light.”
“He has a financial stake in keeping Taylor quiet,” I realized, the pieces starting to fall into place. “If she knows details about those ventures…”
“Exactly,” Robert confirmed. “We believe Edward is worried that if Taylor cooperates fully with the prosecution, his own involvement in Richard’s schemes might be exposed.”
“Is he implicated in the attempt on my mother’s life?” I asked, my stomach churning at the thought
“We don’t know yet,” Robert admitted. “But the timing of certain transfers between his accounts and Richard’s around the time of your mother’s accident is… suspicious. We’re digging deeper.”
“So this goes beyond Richard and Helen. There was a whole network involved.”
“It appears so,” Robert agreed. “And Edward Porter seems to be a key player.”
“Does Taylor know?” I wondered aloud. “Is she aware that her uncle is the one funding her defense?”
“We can’t be certain,” Robert replied. “But given how carefully this has been concealed, I suspect she might not. Carson Whitfield likely presented himself as being arranged through family connections, without specifying which family member. We’ve shared our findings with the DA’s office,” Robert explained They’re pursuing financial records from Edward Porter’s firms and will be looking for any direct evidence of his involvement in Richard’s illegal activities.”
Chapter 152 Edward Porter
+25 BONUS
“And Taylor’s bail?” I pressed. “Can it be revoked if prove her defense is being funded by someone potentially involved in the
crimes?”
“Potentially, yes,” Robert nodded. “If we can establish that Edward Porter is not just a concerned uncle but an active participant in the conspiracy, the court might reconsider the bail decision.”
I leaned back in my chair, a headache beginning to form behind my eyes. Just when I thought the situation couldn’t get more complicated, a whole new player had emerged-
Someone I’d never even known existed..
“I need to process all this,” I said finally. “It’s a lo
to
in.”
“Of course,” Robert agreed. “We’re still gathering information, and I’ll update you as soon as we have more concrete details. In the meantime, the restraining order against Taylor remains in effect, and security at your building has been enhanced.”
After a few more minutes discussing next steps, we left Robert’s office, both of us quiet as we made our way back to the street. “Edward Porter,” Mom murmured, shaking her head.
If Helen’s brother was involved, it would indeed explain Taylor’s bail. Could Edward be the one behind it all? If he wasn’t, how deep did this conspiracy go? How many others might be involved beyond Edward, Richard, and Helen?
Back in our apartment, I sank onto the sofa, relieved to be off my feet. The twins had been unusually active all day, their movements sometimes bordering on painful as they competed for increasingly limited space.
“You should rest,” Mom said, noticing my discomfort. “It’s been a long day.”
I nodded, too tired to argue. “Wake me if Robert calls with any updates?”
“Of course.”
As I lay in my room, Gas curled protectively at my feet, I couldn’t help but replay the day’s revelations in my mind. Edward Porter, -a name I’d never heard until today–was now intricately connected to the tangled web of deceit that had shaped so much of my life.
My phone buzzed with a text from Scarlett:
Heard about the hearing. Taylor’s out? How are you holding up? Need me to come
I smiled slightly at her typical direct ping back:
I’m okay. Just tired. We found out who
funding her defense–Helen’s brother, Edward Porter. Did you know about him?
Her response came quickly:
Porter? Never heard before. WTF is he doing helping Taylor?
Protecting his own interests, apparently. He was involved in some of Dad’s business ventures.
Christ, Mia, your family drama puts soap operas to shame. Morton’s checking to see if he has any info on Porter through business channels. Will let you know.
Thanks, Scar. Love you.
Love you too. Rest up, mama. Those boys need their strength to keep kicking Taylor’s ass when they get out.
Despite everything, I laughed at that.
The rest of the afternoon passed quietly. I napped for a while, waking only when Mom brought in a light dinner–soup and fresh bread that she insisted I eat despite my minimal appetite.
“You need strength,” she reminded me gently. “For yourself and for the boys.”
I managed most of the soup before fatigue overtook me again. The emotional toll of the day, combined with the physical
demands of late pregnancy, had left me completely drained.
+25 BONUS
Just as I was drifting off, my phone buzzed once more. Groggily, I reached for it, expecting another text from Scarlett or perhaps an update from Robert.
Instead, I found a message from a number I didn’t recognize.
Take care of your children. Sleep well, Mia.
My blood ran cold. Taylor. Despite the restraining order, despite the bail conditions, she’d found a way to reach me. Again and again.
I took a screenshot of the message and forwarded it to Robert with a brief note:
Taylor just sent this. Can we get her bail revoked for violating the restraining order?
His response came within minutes:
Save everything. Don’t respond. I’ll contact the DA first thing in the morning. Are you safe at home?
Yes. Security is outside, and Mom is here. But she shouldn’t be able to contact me at all, right?
Correct. This is a clear violation. Try to rest. We’ll handle this tomorrow.
Rest. Everyone kept telling me to rest, as if it were possible.
I stood up. I’d really had enough.
