Thank you to everybody who read or left kudos for the last chapter. I cherish it. We have made it to chapter 100. I appreciate all of you who have been on this journey with me. I am so happy we made it here, especially after I had to take several years off from the story, which forced me to rewrite it from the start. I promise we will have an ending, and we're getting close.

Chapter 100: Searching for truth in the land of chocolate

Amanda's cousin: Good news, we just touchdown at Teterboro.

Tamika: Thank the universe for that. We can't deal with her at Hershey right now. The mysterious Rebecca is enough.

Amanda's cousin: I agree. I wouldn't wish Victoria on you. She slowly driving me crazy.

Amanda's cousin: Who is Rebecca?

Tamika: Possibly the only one who knows what the hell happened the night George died. But she's not talking. This is all a mess.

Tamika: Heads up. Victoria has been completely cut off from Hartley Foundation funding. It turns out she was using the foundation as her personal slush fund to pay for the lawyers harassing my boss and his partner regarding the custody of their daughter. Brianna put a stop to all transactions coming from the fund.

Amanda's cousin: Of course, she was using charity funds to push her own agenda. That's exactly something she would do.

Amanda's cousin: This explains why I've got at least six angry emails from her lawyer.

Amanda's cousin: The check bounced.

Tamika: That would definitely explain the anger.

Amanda's cousin: I also have a really cryptic and angry voicemail from a Cousin Vinny. I really want to know why she was using her cousin's moving company to do anything for Isabella Press.

Tamika: Hiding actual bodies?

Amanda's cousin: I would not put that past her.

Tamika: Please pass those names on to the investigators.

Amanda's cousin: Already done.

Amanda's cousin: Vicky just abandoned me at the airport. She actually slammed the door to her town car in my face.

Tamika: At least you don't have to ride with her into the city.

Amanda's cousin: This is very true. I don't want to think about how much a cab from here will cost. I wonder what my Saturday bus options are. I want to avoid calling one of my Jersey friends to pick me up because they will ask too many questions about my new job.

Amanda's cousin: They do not know my new private security job involves me going undercover as an administrative assistant to find a missing person and uncover a murder plot. I choose not to enlighten them.

Tamika: I'm sending a car because it's cheaper than you expensing a taxi. You know bus service into the city is going to be ridiculous on a Saturday. Don't even try.

Amanda's cousin: Thank you. You know, Isabella won't refund my money. I had to pay for all my food in London out-of-pocket outside of the dinner with my uncles.

Tamika: Send me those receipts too. Monique will reimburse you because it's a work expense. I promise we will take care of all of them.

Amanda's cousin: Because Monique is not cheap.

Tamika: She's also not robbing the place blind. Any money Vicky is not spending on you is going straight into her own bank account and you know it.

Amanda's cousin: This is true.

Tamika: You may want to give Lindsay a heads-up about that.

Amanda's Cousin: I'll add it to the list for the next time I talk to him. He wants regular check-ins.

Tamika: That doesn't surprise me. I'll text again in a couple of days. I'm with Cliff walking the baby to the zoo, and if I don't get back to that, he'll be suspicious. I've been back here texting for too long.

Amanda's cousin: Take care. I expect pictures when it's actually safe for me to receive them.

Tamika: I'll make a note of that.

Xxx

DJ: [8 images attached]

DJ: Your daily dose of baby pictures. I promise to send more later.

Justin: I enjoy seeing pictures of my aunt cuddling around the twins. Which one is she holding? They're both in green.

DJ: Alejandra. Daniel has Baby Marc.

DJ: There was a unanimous decision to not do gendered outfit colors. Also, no matching outfits, just coordinated ones. There were many discussions.

Justin: They will be adorable once they're out of onesies. I have a bunch of outfits I'm bringing over next week.

DJ: You're still coming for the Alexandria lingerie shoot? I really want you here for the next visit with my grandparents. Right now, I think Marc will be my chaperone for the visit. I asked him to do it anyway because Uncle Daniel has too much going on. Thankfully, he said yes. Now we just have to convince Uncle Daniel to stay with my siblings.

Justin: Yes, we are still coming. If anybody needs a break right now it is Matt and Austin. Plus, I want to be your backup for your visit with the grandparents. I am glad Marc agreed to come with us. I asked earlier too. I knew Uncle Daniel would be too preoccupied with the twins even if he will acknowledge that. He's very protective of you and I don't think he wants you dealing with the grandparents alone.

DJ: This is true. Thank you for asking as well. How's Austin doing?

Justin: I am not sure how to encapsulate his state of mind in words right now. We're currently in the arcade with his aunt Rebecca. She has an absolutely guilty look every time Tiffany is mentioned. I'm sure she knows more about the current situation then she is letting on. Austin is trying not to cry in public. It looks like I'm zero for two for amusement park visits this year.

DJ: At least there's lots of chocolate at the park. Everything is better with chocolate.

Justin: We're heading over to the cabana for more privacy. We should have done that before accumulating so many toys, but Junior wanted a plush Hershey bar, and we couldn't say no.

DJ: It is suspicious that the van was found so close to New York and near a city where one of Tiffany's friends lives.

Justin: Very suspicious. If Tiffany killed George and ran away, I'm not gonna be mad at her.

DJ: [skeptical emoji]

Justin: OK, I'm mad at her for leaving Austin and putting him through all this stress, but George was not a good person. He was an abusive, homophobic piece of shit. I'm happy he's gone.

DJ: I will not argue with you on that.

Justin: [7 images attached]

DJ: That is a huge toy Hershey bar.

Justin: Austin won it for me, but it looks like baby Alexis will take it home. She gave me her little Hershey Kisses toy to bring home instead.

Justin: OK, the adults have just arrived, and Brianna has returned it to me. The giant Hershey is too big to take back on the plane to Cleveland. Not that they're going back to Cleveland right away. My mom is still with Vivian and Jerry for reasons unknown.

DJ: Why is my stepmom not returning to Cleveland? Are they meeting with the investigators?

Justin: The adults just had an hour-plus meeting with the investigation team. My mom stayed back because she will spend a week with the team. The Hartley Foundation finances are in shambles, and Brianna has to go to New York for emergency meetings on Monday. Alexis Junior is happy because that means play dates with baby Mo, and she gets to have a sleepover with her new aunt, Andie. She loves Aunt Andie to pieces.

DJ: The foundation having money problems is not good. Is this going to affect Aunt Betty's new job?

Justin: What new job?

DJ: She agreed to help start a new Hartley Foundation office in London. I think it's to keep Aunt Betty in London and provide Matt a reason to visit more.

Justin: That makes sense. Let me ask Brianna. We will go on a coaster together while the others go to the wave pool.

Justin: She says no. Worst case scenario it pivots to being an office for Vivian's foundation. Breanna doubts that's gonna happen. They just need to fix what Victoria messed up and keep her from accessing the funds again. Brianna told me to tell you to not worry about it. She also says you owe her baby pictures.

DJ: I'm sending them now.

Justin: If you haven't already done so, you better send me those pictures, too. Here's the picture of us on the coaster. [2 images attached]

DJ: They are the same pictures I sent you earlier. You guys look good.

Justin: I'll tell her that when she returns from her talk with Claire.

Justin: I'm heading to the wave pool with Tyler. We have a private cabana because going to an amusement park with a billionaire is a different experience. Technically, we didn't have to wait in line for the coaster, but I wanted to talk to Brianna.

DJ: We had VIP service at Disney Paris. It helped us hide from my grandparents.

Justin: Yes, but this is on a different level. Actually, we have two private cabanas. Your aunt and Claire are in the other one talking about who knows what.

DJ: Probably the fact that the twins are really Matt's babies. Apparently, she figured it out yesterday. Uncle Daniel could not text her because she didn't have one of our special phones.

Justin: I'm sure he's pleased about that. [Rolling eye Emoji] That conversation will not go well once it does happen.

DJ: Probably not.

Justin: I'm glad I'm not there for that.

DJ: I'll give you all the juicy details later. Get me one of those giant make-your-own Reesie cups.

Justin: Really? European chocolate is superior.

DJ: But not as gluttonous. Also, Amanda wants one. She deserves giant chocolate.

Justin: I can't argue with that. We will see what we can do. I'm going into the water and have to leave my phone in the cabana.

DJ: Have fun. We will talk more later

Xxx

"You should go join your boyfriend. You don't have to spend all day with me in the cabana?" Rebecca told him a few minutes after Justin dropped his phone off in the cabana. Austin believes Justin should have just put his personal things in the locker because Austin will have to do that when he decides to leave.

"I will later. I want to hang out with you for a bit. We have yet to get to do that with my cousin around." Austin explained.

"You want to interrogate me without your boyfriend or cousin present." Rebecca sighed. "That child asked too many questions."

"Yes. You lied to Cal and Andie last week. You told them you haven't seen me since the wedding, but we both know that's not true."

"I usually don't tell the truth to absentee fathers on principal," Rebecca replied as she drank her water.

"I chose to live with Vivian. I don't want to have a relationship with Cal presently. Even though I think he does want one with me." At some point down the road, if Cal keeps putting work into having a relationship with him, Austin might consider it, but not now. Everything is too raw.

"I'm glad you're taking a stance about where you want to live. Are you comfortable living with Vivian? Because if you're not, I can do something about it. I used to be the person you would go to if anything happened to your mom. Although I don't know what her will says now." Rebecca offered.

"I actually don't know. Vivian's lawyers have been unsuccessful in finding the latest version of Tiffany's will. Vivian said it didn't matter because of the papers mom signed to transfer my custody to Vivian. I asked because I was terrified I would end up with George's sister." If that happened Austin would almost welcome Cal trying to establish his parental rights. The fact that Cal was preferable to his step-aunt said all terrible things.

"Yes, that would've been a horrible outcome. Before I leave, I'll talk to your foster mom so I can send her the version of the will I have." Rebecca offered.

"Thank you for that. I don't want to end up with George's family." Especially because Austin knows they are blaming him for what happened to George. "I am happy living with Vivian. She is a good foster mom. Plus, I have two foster sisters and three Niblings, who I adore. I like being an uncle."

"What is a Nibling?" Rebecca asked.

"Nibling is a gender-neutral term for niece or nephew. My foster sister Monique, who is not here, has a one-month-old intersexual child name Jamie. We use the term nibling now when discussing all three kids together or just baby Jamie." Austin said before pulling out a picture of the kids on his phone.

"That makes sense. They're adorable."

"They really are. I am happy with the Wyndham West family." Austin tells her.

"I'm glad. At least you're somewhere safe. Your mom did call me in August before the move," Rebecca confessed.

"She did?" Austin asked, surprised.

"Yes. I think it might've been the day she signed over custody of you to Vivian. She was questioning moving to Chicago. She was also heartbroken having to leave you behind. I yelled at her about that, but considering what happened, it was the right decision. George would have killed you." How her body shook made Austin aware that this wasn't hyperbole.

"I am aware. I was grateful I was left behind, but I feel guilty because I wasn't with Tiffany when…" Austin stopped abruptly not sure how to finish his thought.

"And your mother was probably pleased about that. She wanted out for good. She found a ton of cash that George was hoarding and was suspicious. She called me. I've begged her to change her route to Chicago to come through here." Rebecca sounded as if she was about to cry.

"You were planning to help her disappear?" Austin asked.

"Yes. Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned." Rebecca said sadly.

"No, they don't." it was at that moment that Alexis Junior ran into the cabana.

"Uncle Austin, come ride with me on the innertube ride. I have to have an adult with me, and mommy is busy talking to Grandma Claire."

"Aren't you supposed to be with Tyler?" Austin asked.

"He's busy flirting with Ms. Mercedes. Freddie and Mo are waiting for us outside to come with us. We need designated adults."

"I think your niece needs us," Rebecca said, getting up from her lounge chair. Yeah, he's not going to get any more answers. However, he's now suspicious or maybe hopeful that the reason they haven't found his mother's body yet is there's no body to discover. Tiffany escaped, leaving George's remains behind. Austin needs to hold onto that hope as long as possible.

"Let's see if we can find Justin, and we'll go on the ride together," He said, grabbing baby Alexis's hand.

"Thank you."

Xxx

"How did your meeting go with the investigation team?" Claire asked once Breanna joined her in cabana two.

"OK. Thankfully, I only had to stay for the first part. We have a theory that Jerry and Kayla are going to investigate. We're hopeful since the dogs have yet to find Tiffany's body. My personal theory is my sister-in-law paid the evil ass hole to kill his wife, and she took him out instead." Breanna explained. Claire could see it.

"If I thought I could get away with murder a second time I would do away with your former sister-in-law for good." She really hated Victoria at that moment.

"Death is too nice for her. I want her in prison for the rest of her life. I'm going to New York Monday to talk to my lawyers about if we can press charges for her stealing foundation funds." Breanna explained.

"Couldn't she just turn that around on you? You have been the head of the foundation for the last four years." Claire expressed her concern. Victoria is precisely the type of person who would take other people down with her.

"That's a possibility," Breanna acknowledged. "Actually, that's probably what my former sister-in-law hoped if we caught her hand in the cookie jar. Nothing like a little mutually assured to make things interesting."

"That sounds like something she would do. She is a horrible woman."

"Jokes on her. I can still afford lawyers to defend myself. I trust the team to connect this mess all to her. In the meantime, I have accomplices I will need to fire Monday. I'm losing half of our accounting team." Breanna sighed.

"This does not surprise me. I'll be happy to send Kenny your way. He's one of our best accountants and helped us install safeguards after Wilhelmina's husband did what he did." Claire offered.

"I will consider your offer. Tonight, after the kids are in their rooms, Vivian and I were going to talk about bringing some of her accountant team in to help temporarily. You can join us for that discussion." Breanna offered.

"I will be there. The twins are your niece and nephew by genetics?" Claire finally asked, causing Breanna to groan.

"I was hoping you would've forgotten about that."

"I'm spending my Saturday at an amusement park in Pennsylvania. I wouldn't forget," Claire remarked.

"At least you're getting to spend more time with your granddaughter." Breanna smiled at her.

"Except I still have just two grandchildren instead of four."

"You still have four grandchildren because Daniel's planning to adopt the twins. Amanda and Daniel decided to go with platonic co-parenting because my sister-in-law is fucking insane and just plain evil." Claire just looks at her in confusion.

"Victoria was always planning to make sure the DNA test was negative for Matt. Thankfully, we ran a second test, which showed the truth. It was decided it was best for Amanda to leave the country while she could still safely do so. That's what we did. I worked with a lot of lawyers to make that happen."

"At least it's better than what Victoria did to Tiffany. That poor woman," Claire lamented.

"I'm grateful she went this route, especially because it all backfired on her. Mostly because you raised a really good son willing to step up."

"Daniel definitely did not get that from Bradford. There's a reason why I ended up in South Dakota." Claire said bitterly.

"Alexis and I both agree that it's all you." Breanna laughed.

"Probably. How does Betty feel about all of this?" Claire asked. "I really want her to still be my daughter-in-law."

"She's also not Bradford," Breanna said reassuringly. "Betty came up with this plan when she found out about the swap test. Amanda is her friend, too."

"I am grateful for this. I can't wait to see the babies."

"We're leaving either Wednesday or Thursday, depending on how long it takes me to fix things. I'm going to have a couple of meetings in London and then in Paris before heading back, but I am planning to leave Alexis Junior with Matt so she can spend some time with DJ, Alejandra, and Marcus. Alex suggested it because he knows Junior will be insufferable until she gets to spend quality time with her cousins. She's OK with a kid-free week." Breanna explained. "Alexis was going to come with us, but her doctor said no more travel for at least a month. Last week's trip to New York exhausted her. She's really sad about that."

"That's too bad. It's a good idea to go to London. It also provides Matt with an excellent cover to be around them." Claire stated.

"I thought so."

"Do you want to come with us?" Breanna asked.

"I wish I could; unfortunately, I have work commitments," Claire regrets that deeply.

"We're taking my brother's private jet, and we will only be there for a few days. I'll have you back in the office by October 5 at the latest. Monique is staying behind and can hold things down. Don't you want to visit your grandchildren?

"I think me traveling with you would be a problem. I'm sure your sister-in-law is watching you." Claire remarked.

"I'm sure she is. However, you are entitled to spend time with your granddaughter. I'm sorry that I didn't let you do that before. I just wasn't ready to deal with the Alexis situation yet."

"I understand, although I wish your brother would have told me. You know I want to spend more time with Alexis Junior, but…" Claire started but was cut off by Breanna.

"Tyler's coming as well. I wanted to get as much of the family there as possible." Of course, Breanna was making it harder for her to say no.

"I'll consider it. Let me talk to Monique to see if it is feasible."

"That's all I ask. Also, remind me when we get to the hotel to give you a burn phone to contact Daniel. He will be expecting you. Although if you want to yell at him, I recommend that you save that until you see him in person," Brianna cautioned.

"Daniel and I definitely need to talk."

Xxxx

A few hours later

Client Wyndham-West II: I had an interesting conversation with my Aunt Rebecca earlier. She told me Tiffany contacted her after signing custody of me over to Vivian before leaving for Chicago. Tiffany found a bunch of cash and became suspicious of the stepdad. They were making plans for my mom to run away.

Jerry's Investigations: Do you think those plans may have been successful?

Client Wyndham-West II: Maybe. You should check with Rebecca's neighbors to see if anybody saw someone who may look like my mom around her house close to the time of the disappearance.

Jerry's investigations: We're looking into it. Considering George's injuries, we always assume this was a possibility, but this makes it more plausible. We'll work on connecting the dots.

Client Wyndham-West II: George's injuries?

Jerry's investigations: Talk to your foster mom. Although not until later. Enjoy yourself at the park today.

Client Wyndham-West II: I am trying to. It's just hard. I just want answers.

Jerry's investigations: My whole team is trying to get them for you. I hope we'll have something soon.

Client Wyndham-West II: I do too.

Client Wyndham-West II: I need to get back. My boyfriend's mom just joined us and she's trying to convince Rebecca to have lunch with her sometime next week while she's situated with your team.

Jerry's investigations: I suggest you go help her line up that meeting. Your boyfriend's mother might be more successful than us.

Client Wyndham-West II: I will try my best to convince her.

Xx

Becky #1: I still don't know if you're checking this phone, but you should know that Austin is doing well. He's sad and worried about you, but he's safe.

Becky #1: Vivian has him being followed by multiple security agents. They were too obvious in the pool. I'm glad they're there, especially with everything that happened.

Becky #1: The body has been identified as George's. I found that out from Hilda, a.k.a. your son's future mother-in-law. We are having dinner together on Tuesday. She is sticking around to help the investigation team. However, I wonder if us having dinner on Tuesday is her assisting the investigation team.

Becky #1: Justin is a nice boy. I can see why Austin did not want to go to Chicago. Definitely love.

Becky #1: Austin suspects something isn't right and that maybe you're not gone. He's terrified that they're going to find your body. I feel guilty for not telling him they won't find it.

Becky #1: I know it's safer for you if no one knows you survived, but I really wish I could tell him.

Becky #1: Not yet.

TIF: New phone number [redacted]. Get a new phone before you call me. Let me know how your dinner goes with Hilda. She hates me.

Becky #1: Will do.

Becky #1: She's trying to find you, so I don't think she hates you.

To be continued…

Just in case you weren't sure, Client Wyndham-West II is Austin.

Also, Rebecca did receive the burn phone number. However, I did not want to make up a phone number, so I just decided to redact it in the text.